Pittsburgh Steelers Rumors: Interest In Free-Agent Tight End Jermichael Finley?
By Matt Shetler
Oct 20, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
It’s about that time of the year where we start to see the Pittsburgh Steelers linked to various players as free agency is set to begin on March 11.
The first of which may come as a bit of a surprise.
Ben Volin of ESPN tweeted Friday the Steelers have interest free-agent tight end Jermichael Finley. Finley has not yet been medically cleared to play, but that should happen this season.
I'm told that TE Jermichael Finley, still not medically cleared, has drawn interest from the Jets, Chiefs, Seahawks, Giants and Steelers
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 7, 2014
Finley suffered a horrific injury last year for the Green Bay Packers which required spinal fusion surgery. Reports suggest he could be cleared medically as soon as this weekend, but given the unknown, his price tag isn’t going to be that high, which is good news for the salary cap-strapped Steelers.
Finley is a great athlete when healthy but also struggles with routine catches as he drops quite a few balls. He caught 223 passes for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns in six seasons with the Packers, where he is not expected to re-sign.
A guy like Finley could add a different dimension to the Steelers offense, but you have to wonder if his best days are behind him following the surgery.
Considering the Steelers just restructured Heath Miller‘s deal and they have so many other needs, I doubt that they will be serious players for Finley when free agency does begin.