The Pittsburgh Steelers are already shaking things up this offseason. Just a day after the Kansas City Chiefs secured the Super Bowl, the Steelers began making roster changes.
In a move to clear cap space for the 2024 offseason, the Steelers released Mitch Trubisky, Pressley Harvin III, and Chukwuma Okorafor. These moves freed up over $12 million in cap room, which will be used to bolster the roster when free agency opens next month.
One position the Steelers are likely to address with this new cap space is cornerback. According to Parker Abate of Steelers Nation, the team might target Sean Murphy-Bunting of the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Murphy-Bunting, who joined the Titans for the 2023 season after four years with the Buccaneers, could be seeking a new opportunity in 2024.
Murphy-Bunting struggled to find his place in Tampa Bay during the 2022 season, starting only five games as the Buccaneers favored Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Titans to help improve their pass defense. However, his impact was limited, as the Titans’ pass defense only marginally improved, and Murphy-Bunting allowed a 65.2% completion rate against him while recording two interceptions, eight pass deflections, and 57 tackles.
Despite a tough season, Murphy-Bunting could provide a cost-effective solution for the Steelers’ needs at cornerback.
The Steelers are in search of an upgrade at cornerback for the 2024 season. While drafting Joey Porter Jr. addressed part of their cornerback issues last offseason, Patrick Peterson did not fully resolve the remaining concerns. Peterson, whose age has started to affect his performance, struggled with coverage due to declining speed and is not expected to be a long-term solution at cornerback. There is even a possibility he might be released after initial roster cuts.
Re-signing Levi Wallace is an option, but he is more suited as a depth player rather than a starting cornerback. The Steelers allowed the 10th-most yards per passing attempt in 2023, highlighting the need for improvement if they are to remain competitive in a challenging division.
The team has several avenues to address this need. The 2024 draft features strong cornerback prospects, and the Steelers could select a promising player with the 20th pick. Additionally, high-profile free agents like Jaylon Johnson and L’Jarius Sneed could also be available.
Whatever route the Steelers choose, enhancing their cornerback position will be crucial for their success in the upcoming season.