Steelers Free Agency 2013: Plaxico Burress expected to be re-signed
By Matt Shetler
With Mike Wallace all but gone when the NFL Free Agency period kicks off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers must find ways to replenish the receiving core either via free agency or through the NFL Draft.
The first step in attempting to do that involves bringing back veteran Plaxico Burress.
Both CBS’ NFL Insider Jason La Canfora and ESPN’s Adam Schefter are reporting that the Steelers will re-sign Burress to a one-year contract at the veteran’s minimum.
The Steelers plan to sign WR Plaxico Burress to a 1yr, vet min deal in the coming days, according to league source.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 12, 2013
Dec 2, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress (80) prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M
No matter what the team does in free agency or the draft, they won’t be able to replace the production from Wallace, nor will they be able to find a guy to impact opposing defenses in the fashion that Wallace did.
But regardless, bringing back Plax is a good move.
While Burress doesn’t have the speed to stretch the field like he once did, he is still a reliable red zone target, which is important as Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert attempts to find some weapons for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
More importantly, it comes at a minimal cost for a team that doesn’t have much money to spend this offseason.
Burress played for the Steelers from 2000-04 and re-signed with the team late in the season last year after he went most of the regular season without finding a job.
The 11-year vet played in only three games last season and caught three passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
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.