In a year in which the Pittsburgh Steelers were projected to enter the new league year over the salary cap, it is somewhat impressive that they managed to place the franchise tag on an edge defender and sign or trade for four players outside of their organization, including bringing in one free agent on a two-year, $12 million contract.
By average annual salary, that is tied for the third-largest deal the Steelers have ever given to an outside free agent on their first contract, behind Joe Haden’s three-year, $27 million deal in 2017 and the three-year, $25.