Steelers Still Have One More Bona Fide Star To Sign: 'It’s Justin Simmons'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been busy in the 2024 offseason, already adding several players to one of the league’s highest paid defenses. Names like linebacker Patrick Queen, cornerback Donte Jackson,and safety DeShon Elliott headline the new names all brought in to help the Steelers capture their elusive seventh Lombardi Trophy. One former Steeler thinks that one more free agent should be brought in for the secondary.

Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats discussed on his podcast that the Steelers should still sign Justin Simmons to create one of the better safety tandems in the league.

“We didn’t pay DeShon Elliott anything where you feel like you can’t bring a guy in, and it’s Justin Simmons. Justin Simmons is in that conversation with Minkah Fitzpatrick and company, man. Top safeties in the league type conversation.”

The Steelers currently have a host of safeties on the roster, but will likely only have three in rotation on the backend in Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee and Elliott come training camp. However, the Steelers have been searching for the superstar player to patrol the secondary with Fitzpatrick. Names like Keanu Neal, Terrell Edmunds, and Kazee have all tried and had some success, but haven’t been able to reach these expectations.

Simmons has been attached to the Steelers from the moment that he was cut by the Denver Broncos in March. Simmons, who has spent his entire eight-year career in Denver, would be an immediate impact player in Pittsburgh. The four-time All-Pro has 30 interceptions in his career including two in 2023, and has a nose for the football reaching at least 70 tackles in five of his eight seasons in Denver. Combine that with a player like Fitzpatrick, who has been named an All-Pro in three different seasons with the Steelers, and you have a perfect combination of protection in the secondary and solid pressure up front.

According to Spotrac, Simmons current market value sits at around $11.2 million. There are several moves that can be made on the roster as well to add more cap space including restructuring certain players. Simmons' number alone could come down even more if he feels as though reuniting with Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh gives him a chance to win a Super Bowl. Omar Khan has shown in his tenure as general manager that money is no object if it puts the team in place to win. 

What Is Steelers Hold-Up On Signing Justin Simmons?

What hurts this idea is the presence of Kazee on the roster, and the signing of Elliott, who signed a two-year, $6 million dollar deal back in March. 

Kazee played 81% of the snaps in 2023, but missed time due to a suspension following the loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Kazee, who will head into training camp at 31, can still be a contributor in Teryl Austin’s three-safety scheme, or can transition into a depth safety. Safety depth was a problem for the Steelers in 2023, and having Simmons in the building, while allowing Kazee and Elliott to rotate around, could help keep the defense fresh.

An alternate solution could be to have Elliott go and play in the slot and have Kazee be the third safety rather than a four-man rotation. A slot presence is another need for the Steelers after the departures of Levi Wallace and Patrick Peterson. Elliott could also play a hybrid sub-linebacker position and be a great match for the tight ends of the AFC North thanks to his sure tackling. Both options create a good problem to have in having plenty of talent rather than not enough.