Steelers Free Agency 2013: Larry Foote re-signed to multi-year deal
By Matt Shetler
Pittsburgh Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert has had a busy couple of days as the NFL free agency period is set to kickoff at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
First he freed up cap space by releasing James Harrison, restructuring the deal of LaMarr Woodley and the subsequent release of Willie Colon. Then he spent some money by re-signing guard Ramon Foster and Plaxico Burress.
Colbert was at it again by agreeing to a multi-year contract with inside linebacker Larry Foote, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Steelers reached agreement on a multi-year deal with veteran LB Larry Foote.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2013
November 12, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote (50) on the field before playing the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It was important for the Steelers to get a deal done with Foote prior to free agency beginning as the Arizona Cardinals were one team that was rumored to be hot after the 11-year veteran.
Foote, 32, had a surprisingly strong season in 2012, when he returned to the starting lineup to replace James Farrior. In 16 starts, Foote finished with a career-high 113 tackles and tied a career best with four sacks, leading the Steelers in tackles.
With very little depth at linebacker, it would have been next to impossible to replace the production that Foote brought to the table a season ago.
The Steelers do have a visit set up with linebacker Dan Connor, who spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, so it is unknown how the re-signing of Foote affects that.
It’s a bit risky giving a 32-year old a multi-year deal, but Foote showed a season ago that he has some productive football left in him. But for now, the Steelers stay strong on the inside with both Foote and Lawrence Timmons in the fold, although there is a small chance they could shift Timmons outside, where he played in college, to replace Harrison, and subsequently make room for Connor.
Keep checking back to City of Champions Sports for all of the wheeling’s and dealings once free agency begins at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.