Steelers urged to bring back former first-round pick during 2024 offseason.
Throughout the 2023 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers experienced numerous setbacks.
Much of the focus is on the team’s quarterback play and offensive coaching, but the defense had its own challenges.
The defense struggled with consistency, thanks in part to the many lineup changes caused by injuries and Damontae Kazee’s suspension.
The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly believes the problem might have been prevented at one position.
In an interview with Mike DeFabo on season grades for Steelers players, Kaboly labeled Pittsburgh’s decision not to re-sign Terrell Edmunds a significant mistake.
Parker Abate of Steelers Nation feels the team should avoid making the same mistake in 2024.
While addressing Kaboly’s ideas on the 2023 error, Abate suggested that the Steelers try to get Edmunds back in 2024.
Edmunds’ contract for 2023 was only worth $2 million, so he should be a relatively inexpensive alternative to provide the Steelers with depth in 2024 after they finished 2023 with Patrick Peterson and Eric Rowe receiving significant playing time at safety.
Steelers Injury Issues in 2023
Throughout the 2023 season, the Steelers faced some important defensive absences.
Kwon Alexander tore his Achilles. Cole Holcomb’s season terminated due to a knee injury.
Keanu Neal was placed on injured reserve after suffering a rib injury in Week 11, and he has never returned.
Minkah Fitzpatrick missed seven games due to two injuries.
T.J. Watt missed the most important game of the season. A knee injury sustained in Week 18 forced him to miss the playoff game against the Bills.
Cameron Heyward did not miss any time, but once the season was over, he confessed that he had been playing with a significant groin injury.
All of these injuries, combined with Kazee’s ban for the final three regular-season games, left the Steelers constantly short-handed on defense.
Edmunds Still Helped Out the Old Team
Edmunds signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles after not being re-signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He didn’t finish the season with the Eagles, who traded him to the Titans for Kevin Byard.
Edmunds established a solid role for himself in Tennessee, recording 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his first eight games with the team.
In his ninth game, he helped his previous team advance to the playoffs.
The Steelers knew that in order to qualify for the playoffs, the Jaguars or Bills had to lose on Sunday, Week 18.
The Jaguars traveled to Tennessee to play against Edmunds’ Titans.
Edmunds recorded 5 tackles and defended a pass throughout the game, but more importantly, he intercepted a Trevor Lawrence throw in the first half, allowing the Titans to score a touchdown and take a 21-10 lead.
The Titans won the game 28-20, advancing the Steelers to the playoffs.
Now in free agency, he might be a good fit for his former squad after helping them reach the playoffs while on another roster in 2023.
