State of the Steelers: Best-Worst free agent signings after half a season

The Pittsburgh Steelers are at the halfway point of the 2023 season. That makes now the perfect time for some reflection. Part of that includes looking back on where Pittsburgh hit and missed on free-agent acquisitions: Best Signing: OL Isaac Seumalo Seumalo has been not only the best offseason addition in Pittsburgh, but arguably the […]

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer

Nov 7, 2023 8:30 AM EST

Oct 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs after a catch as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Keanu Neal (31) and linebacker Kwon Alexander (54) defend during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports — Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are at the halfway point of the 2023 season.

That makes now the perfect time for some reflection.

Part of that includes looking back on where Pittsburgh hit and missed on free-agent acquisitions:

Best Signing: OL Isaac Seumalo

Isaac Seumalo is the hero no one will talk about from Sunday's #Steelers win. On huge 3rd down throw to Pickens with Steelers up 24-17 on final drive, Aaron Donald beats Dan Moore immediately for likely strip sack if Seumalo doesn't come save the day pic.twitter.com/rKS7gPjRNK
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) October 24, 2023

Seumalo has been not only the best offseason addition in Pittsburgh, but arguably the team's best offensive lineman. He has been solid in pass protection and downright dominant in the run game:

You can’t draw up 1-Back power out of gun better. Seumalo gets to the play side backer and creates the hole for Najee Harris’ TD. pic.twitter.com/OOvRheccvp
— Rob Gregson (@NFL_Rob) November 3, 2023

Pittsburgh hit a home run with this addition and will look forward to having the do-it-all guard for the next two years as he finishes his prime in Pittsburgh through 2025.

Worst Signing: S Keanu Neal

Keanu Neal on pace to set the record for most missed tackles in a season from a Steeler in my 6 years charting them.

Bad.
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) November 3, 2023

Neal just simply hasn't been effective for the Steelers this year. He was brought in to be a box safety or another linebacker with safety speed.

Instead, he has been a liability in pass coverage, and the one task that he needs to excel in has cost the Steelers given his tackling woes.

With a $2.7 million dollar cap hit in 2024, if Neal keeps it up, the Steelers may just have to take the dead cap hit on the shins and look elsewhere in the draft or free agency.