Grading the first wave of Steelers free agency

We have reached the weekend and the first wave of NFL free agency is in the books. The Pittsburgh Steelers were patient but active, making multiple signings with the goal of quick improvement on both sides of the football. Here are our grades so far.

Losing Cam Sutton

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This one hurts. Pittsburgh drafted and developed Sutton only to let him sign elsewhere when he was just hitting his stride. I understand the NFL is a business but I’d have loved to see Pittsburgh keep Sutton in the fold.

Grade: C-

Signing CB Patrick Peterson

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Patrick Peterson’s resume speaks for itself. Is he an upgrade over Sutton? It remains to be seen but even if he is a slight step backward, it was a smart signing from a financial standpoint and gives Pittsburgh stability at the position.

Grade: B

Re-signing S Damontae Kazee

(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

Damontae Kazee missed much of the 2022 season but he did show enough when he returned to warrant a new contract. Signing Kazee doesn’t mean the Steelers won’t bring Terrell Edmunds back but it gives Pittsburgh that all-important third safety.

Grade: A

Re-signing DT Larry Ogunjobi

(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

This move is under-the-radar nationally but vital to the Steelers success. Ogunjobi came into his own and quickly became a leader on the defense. His production didn’t always show up in the boxscore but this signing was a must.