On the first day of the NFL’s “legal tampering” period, the Steelers made some big moves, the biggest of them the acquisition of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis for next-to-nothing in a late-round draft pick swap. They then agreed with Pittman on a three-year $59 million contract.
Cornerback Jamel Dean has agreed to a $36.75 million deal with the Steelers, after playing for Tampa Bay for the last seven years.
Free agent running back Rico Dowdle has reportedly agreed to a contract, terms unknown, to replace Kenneth Gainwell, who agreed to a deal with Tampa Bay. Dowdle has run for a thousand yards in each of the last two seasons, with Dallas and Carolina.
The Steelers re-signed inside linebacker Cole Holcombe, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., and defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo
Cornerback James Pierre agreed to a contract with the Vikings after six years in Pittsburgh. Guard Isaac Seumalo leaves the Steelers after three seasons to play for Arizona.
Based on previous players lost and signed in free agency, the NFL awarded the Steelers four compensatory picks in this year’s draft, which is tied for the most with Baltimore and Philadelphia. The picks will come after the third round and the seventh. Pittsburgh’s extra picks will be selection numbers 99, 135, 214 and 216 overall.
NFL
Some of the other big moves in the NFL on Monday:
- Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III goes to the Chiefs
- Center Tyler Linderbaum becomes the highest-paid interior lineman ever with a new deal with the Raiders
- Wide receiver Mike Evans joins the 49ers
- Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will become an Atlanta Falcon after his release tomorrow by the Dolphins
- …and he’ll be replaced in Miami by QB Malik Willis.
