Many expected second year tight end, Jesse James, to take the reigns as the team’s number one tight end after Miller’s announcement to end his career. It wouldn’t have been a complete surprise, seeing as how high the Steelers’ expectations are of James so early in his career.
At the start of free agency, the Steelers made a move to fortify the tight end spot by signing Ladarius Green to a four-year, $20 million contract. Steelers’ Nation was a house divided on the signing. Some felt it was a unnecessary move with James showing promise in his rookie season, while others knew of Green’s exploits in San Diego as a protégé to Antonio Gates.