Steelers can amplify the linebacker room with new free agent
This veteran would be an instant upgrade.
The famed "steel curtain" has always run through the middle of the defense. Linebackers are the heart and soul of the team, analogous to the workers that built the city.
So with recent years seeing a decline in play at this vital position, Pittsburgh's offseason priorities start and end with a middle linebacker.
That means when a former All-Pro hits the market, you make a call, with the intent of adding depth at the very least.
Kendricks has been a staple in Minnesota, with a career spanning eight years and multiple regimes.
Never flashy, Kendricks has always been a solid player. He hones intrinsic awareness and fast mental processing, making up for any athletic deficiencies in his game.
Some may point to age as a limiting factor with Kendricks (who turned 31 a week ago) but his most recent season proves otherwise.
Recording 137 total tackles 87 of which were solo (career high) in 2022, Kendricks showed no signs of slowing down. (stats via profootballrefernce)
While "numbers never lie" they don't always tell the full story, meaning that you cant scout box scores and make sound opinions off figures alone.
So how did Kendricks look in 2022?
I don't know about you, but I see plenty of juice left in those legs and cognitive ability that screams nearly a decade of experience.
So while it's established that Kendricks is a good fit in black and gold, the tricky part is the money.
Pittsburgh is $4.8 million over the cap as we approach free agency, with big decisions on who to release or keep in order to clean up the situation.
There has been conversation around releasing backup quarterback Mitch Tribusky, which would free up $8 million in cap space, but recent comments from GM Omar Khan suggest the team plans on keeping him around.
So we instead turn to the defense, starting with the player that Kendricks would be replacing in Myles Jack.
Jack played well last season, but to say he's worth his impending cap hit of $11.25 million would be delirious considering that's seventh highest on the team.
If Pittsburgh feels that Jack is worth sticking around though, they have a no-brainer in the release of William Jackson III.
Signed late in the year last season, Jackson showed flashes during his time in Washington but he hardly practiced much less played for Pittsburgh.
So with a 2023 cap hit of $12.2 million, he's a player the Steelers need to cut bait with.
The best option is to release both Jack and Jackson III, sign Kendricks, then draft and develop a mid-round pick at middle linebacker.
But things in the league can be tricky, even if this seems like the obvious answer.
Featured image via © Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
