Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agent Rumors: Tracking Signings, Losses and Rumors
By Matt Shetler
Rumors
March 14
Tight end Kellen Davis to visit
With starting tight end Heath Miller recovering from ACL surgery and backup Leonard Pope an unrestricted free agent, Colbert must land a tight end who could possibly be a starter to begin the season and take some pressure off of Miller as the season goes on.
That man could be Chicago Bears’ tight end Kellen Davis.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Davis will visit the Steelers on Thursday.
It’s not the first time that the Steelers have shown interest in Davis, as they courted him prior to him re-signing with the Bears last season.
Davis served as the Bears starting tight end for each of the last two seasons but caught just 37 passes for 435 yards and six touchdowns over that span. He has been remarkably healthy as he didn’t miss a game in any of his first five seasons in the league with Chicago.
Beanie Wells takes physical with Steelers
There seems to be serious interest from the Steelers as according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and the Post-Gazette, Wells visited the Steelers and took a physical.
The former Ohio State Buckeye’s best season was 2011 where he rushed for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns, which aren’t terribly impressive numbers, but better than anything the Steelers currently have on the roster.
Wells has had problems in both of his knees and has only played a 16 game season once, his rookie year. Last year he was only able to appear in eight games, only putting up 2.7 yards per carry average, but scored five touchdowns.
I’m not overly excited about the possibility of signing Wells.
He is a big, slow back who runs in between the tackles and not very effectively at that. The Steelers already have enough guys like Wells who don’t perform, although he could represent a slight upgrade.
The good news is that Wells is only 25 and there is still a possibility he could put things together and become the featured back the Steelers need.
Ryan Mundy visits Giants
Steelers safety Ryan Mundy is planning to visit the Giants, who are seeking a replacement for Kenny Phillips, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
March 13
November 18, 2012; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis (23) celebrates a tackle against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of the game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Keenan Lewis to visit Saints
The Steelers biggest offseason priority is re-signing corrnerback Keenan Lewis, although it appears highly unlikely at this point.
According to Larry Holder of NOLA.com, Lewis will visit his hometown New Orleans Saints.
“Taking a drive down Airline Dr. To visit with the New Orleans Saints!!!” Lewis said via Twitter.
Rashard Mendenhall to visit Cardinals, Broncos
Schefter reports that the former Steelers featured back has visits planned to both Arizona and Denver this week and Mendenhall’s agent says they have contacted plenty of teams.
There’s no chance of a Mendenhall return to Pittsburgh, but signing in Arizona where Bruce Arians is the new head coach is a bit interesting. When Mendenhall does sign, he can walk out on his teammates once more. This time for good.
March 12
Steelers interested in RB Beanie Wells
Tim Kavanagh of ESPN.com is reporting that the Steelers are one of two teams to already show interest in the former Ohio State product, with the other being the Cincinnati Bengals, who have much more cap space. Wells is only 24 and has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over his four-year NFL career and has found the end zone 24 times. Out of those four seasons, Wells has only eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark one occasion (2011) and is coming off a season in which he gained only 234 yards on 88 carries (2.7 ypc).
QB Bruce Gradkowski to visit
The Steelers need to address the backup quarterback position and it looks as if they are turning their attention to the Seton LaSalle graduate Gradkowski. ESPN’s Schefter is reporting that Gradkowski has a visit scheduled with the Steelers on Wednesday.
The 30-year old Pittsburgh native could be an ideal fit as the No. 2 quarterback as he has both experience as a backup and a starter. Gradkowski only has a 6-14 record as a starter, but has managed six fourth-quarter comebacks over his career. He is a tough quarterback who can move around the pocket and implement a short passing attack, which would fit in nicely with the Steelers.
Gradkowski has only a 52.9 career completion percentage and 21 touchdowns to 24 interceptions. But he would represent an upgrade over both Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch, neither of which are currently under contract.
Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Dan Connor (52) looks into the backfield during the game against the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. The Redskins beat the Cowboys 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
LB Dan Connor on Steelers radar
ESPN Dallas’ Calvin Watkins reported that the former Cowboys and Carolina Panthers linebacker will visit the Steelers.
Connor has only started 27 games in his career, but he has experience in the 3-4 defense. Last season with the Cowboys, Connor started in eight games and had 57 tackles.
However with the late signing of Foote, Connor may be looking for other options as he would only provide depth in Pittsburgh.
LB Moise Fokou schedules visit
The Steelers need linebacker depth and according to CBS’ NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, the Steelers are considering Fokou, who is scheduled for a visit sometime this week.
Fokou is undersized at 6’1” and 233 pounds, and likely would only provide depth for the Steelers, but Fokou has plenty of starting experience with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts.
He started 22 games in three seasons with the Eagles and one game last year with the Colts. His best season came in 2010 when he started 11 games and finished with 53 tackles and one sack.
Keep checking back to City of Champions Sports for updates on all of the wheeling’s and dealings of free agency.