Steelers Could Fill Final Hole With Justin Simmons

The Pittsburgh Steelers could still add the All-Pro safety.

Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) reacts to a turnover / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers could look at the remaining options in free agency and say there isn't anyone they could sign who would fix their last issue on defense - slot cornerback. But if they get creative, there's a big-time solution to their problem, and it would make their secondary scary.

The Steelers have options on their roster to play the slot. Damontae Kazee, DeShon Elliott, Darius Rush and Trenton Thompson all have experience in the nickel. So, maybe the team is looking for one of them to step up this season.

But with Rush being a second-year player with minimal experience and Thompson being a prove-it piece, there's nothing guaranteed. Kazee and Elliott would fit well in what Pittsburgh asks of the position, but that would remove the ability to play three-safety sets, which is something they've tried to do for years.

So, what about Justin Simmons? If the Steelers decided they wanted to make one final splash, they could add Simmons as a safety, allowing either Elliott or Kazee to move into the slot. Meanwhile, it keeps their three-safety sets alive and gives players like Rush and Thompson more experience to learn behind.

At this point, it's unknown what Simmons' market is. He was estimated to be an $11 million signing when free agency opened, but after nearly a month without much noise, that number is likely dropping. For a four-time All-Pro, it seems like anything under $10 million a year would make a lot of sense for any team - especially one who could use more options in the secondary.

It's a one-year solution, but it's a great solution. Maybe their best possible solution. And if the Steelers could pull off the contract and make sure they have even more pieces to their defense, all while allowing themselves to search for outside cornerbacks, offensive tackles and centers in the NFL Draft, it might be a shot worth taking.

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