Grading Every Signing from Steelers First Week of Free Agency

Miles Killebrew

The Steelers are simply bringing back their best special teams player on a two-year deal. Killebrew blocked two punts last year, tied most in the NFL. Killebrew can also play some safety and linebacker in sub packages, so he’s a nice depth piece too. Smart, cheap pickup.

Grade: A

Chuks Okorafor

This signing has received a lot of heat, for reasons unknown to me. Chuks essentially signed a 1-year deal worth $4 million, with two years added if he plays well in 2022. Chuks is a low-risk signing. He isn’t a great pass protector or run blocker, but he isn’t sub-par either. Steelers fans dislike him because he isn’t great. The Steelers like Chuks because he’s arguably the second or third best lineman they have. I don’t understand people complaining that the Steelers should have signed La’el Collins (who is a better player, for sure). For that to have happened, the Steelers would have had to wait five days into free agency to sign a starting right tackle. That’s just not good business.

Chuks isn’t a bling-bling signing, but he brings experience to the table and allows the Steelers to not draft a tackle out of need. He’s a good signing, regardless of what Steelers Twitter thinks.

Grade: B

Ahkello Witherspoon

The move every Steelers fan wanted to happen, did. Though Witherspoon was the second cornerback the Steelers signed, I love this pickup and it makes a ton of sense. Witherspoon was tremendous down the stretch last year and proved he needed a second contract. Witherspoon offers a little more length and speed than Levi Wallace, who will be the Steelers other outside cornerback. On a 2-year, $8 million dollar deal, it’s a great value signing for the Steelers.

Grade: A

Montravius Adams

Adams, like Witherspoon, proved he needed to be on the 2022 roster. Adams is a valuable depth piece for what’s shaping up to be the deepest and strongest defensive line in the NFL (if Stephon Tuitt returns). Another two-year deal, Adams signed for $5 million. Adams isn’t a world-beater, but his athleticism relative to his size makes him a valuable player.

Grade: A

Arthur Maulet

The Steelers needed a second slot cornerback, and that’s exactly what Maulet is. While he wasn’t stellar in coverage last season, Maulet was at his best defending the run. With Cam Sutton likely mixing back inside a little, with Wallace and Witherspoon on the outside, Maulet ensures that the Steelers have depth at the slot position and a cornerback who likes to play the run.

Grade: B

From Outside of the Organization:

Mason Cole

I like this signing, perhaps more than a lot of Steelers fans, though I don’t love it. A lot of you asked the same question I did when the Steelers later signed James Daniels; “What was the point of the Mason Cole signing?” The answer is twofold. First, Cole provides some real competition for the center position, where he’s arguably at his best. Second, Colbert wanted to ensure that his team had “one more” veteran lineman, something he regretted “missing out on” last year. If Cole wins the starting center job, great. If not, that probably means good things for Kendrick Green. Either way, the Steelers win.

Grade: B-

Myles Jack

All Steelers fans can agree that we never saw this one coming. Neither could have the Steelers, as the Jaguars released Jack a day into free agency. The Steelers signed him the following day. “All it took was a phone call,” and Jack was a Steeler. At 240 pounds, Jack ran a 4.4 and will be an every-down linebacker for the Steelers. He excels in coverage and is more than adequate in the run game. Jack is a hit-and-run linebacker, the same as Bush, and can help mentor Bush. Jack will be an A+ replacement for Joe Schobert, who was released after Jack was signed. Some point to Jack’s struggles last year, but he was playing behind an awful defensive line, which forced him to play to his weaknesses, like Bush.

Grade: A

Mitch Trubisky

Mitchburgh, anyone? The Steelers have their quarterback for the future (just kidding), or at least until they draft their franchise quarterback. Trubisky offers the pedigree and upside that Mason Rudolph simply will never have, to no fault of his own. I like this signing for the Steelers, for the cost (2-years, $14 million), and the potential Trubisky brings to the table. An above-average runner, the Steelers will be able to run Matt Canada’s offense, which was one of the main draws for the Steelers. We’ll see how much Trubisky learned in Buffalo behind Josh Allen, but regardless of if Trubisky progresses or not, he has enough tools to bring the Steelers throughout this season. Oh, and he has a higher career-winning percentage than both Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson. Suck on that, Cleveland.

Grade: B+

James Daniels

No fanbase loves their team signing offensive line more than Steeler Nation. I mean, Twitter nearly had a meltdown, with all of the parties Steelers fans were throwing when Daniels was announced as a Steeler. I love this signing just as much as anyone else, and Daniels will provide the Steelers with a very young, but experienced starter. Daniels still has his best football ahead of him too. He offers position flexibility and will compete with Kevin Dotson for the best lineman on the team.

Grade: A+

Levi Wallace

Most Steelers fans thought this signing meant that contract talks with Witherspoon had fallen through. Before Witherspoon was announced to also be coming back, I like this signing. Now, I love it. Wallace is exactly what the Steelers want at cornerback. Smart, more than willing to play the run, and competitive in coverage. Wallace took the #1 corner job last year in Buffalo when Tre’davious White went down for the season and notched 3 interceptions en route to the Bills defense ranking as the best in the NFL. With Wallace and Witherspoon at cornerback, the Steelers have an above-average cornerback room, something they haven’t had since 2019.

Grade: A+

Gunner Olszewski

Simply a replacement for the Ray-Ray loss, though he’s only caught 9 passes in his career. Olszewski was an All-Pro returner for the Patriots in 2020 and brings pedigree to the position. His speed may do what McCloud never could; take one back to the house. Good signing, though it doesn’t really help the wide receiver room.



Grade: B+ 

All in all, this off-season has been the most active the Steelers have ever been under Kevin Colbert, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Make no mistake, Colbert’s last days as GM of the Pittsburgh Steelers might also be his greatest.