NFL Free Agency LIVE BLOG: Steelers Get Busy; Except at LB

The NFL is open for business after a busy first day of the free agency contact period on Monday, that saw a whole bunch of players changing teams, but relatively few skill position players.

Of the all the deals made in the first 12 hours of NFL free agency, only four quarterbacks, no wide receivers and not many notable running backs or tight ends were among the movers and shakers. That will probably change for day two.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will still likely be looking for defensive help, though that side of the ball is getting picked over in some places. More in the Day Two Big Board.

UPDATE, 7:40 p.m:

An old friend just hit the unemployment line. Might the Steelers be interested?

UPDATE, 6:45 p.m:

Yet another potential inside linebacker signing has come off the board, as the Dallas Cowboys are retaining oft-injured former top draft pick Leighton Vander Esch.

Vander Esch will stay in Dallas on a two-year deal worth $11 million. The Steelers and Houston Texans were also interested.

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m: 

The Steelers not getting a free agent linebacker so far take on a little more meaning now, as reliable co-starter Robert Spillane has found a deal elsewhere, making a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on a two-year contract.

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.:

Another big-name wide receiver has a home, as Allen Lazard has agreed to a four-year deal with the New York Jets.

UPDATE, 4 p.m.:

No linebackers all day, and now three in 15 minutes. First, the Tennessee Titans have landed former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair, who had been a rotational player for San Fran, will slide right into a starting role in Tennessee, which plays a defense very similar to Pittsburgh’s. It’s certainly likely that he could have been a Steelers candidate. No word on the compensation just yet.

Secondly, the Cleveland Browns are also re-signing Sione Takitaki on a one-year deal. He’s coming off a late-season ACL injury and was not on our big board, but will bolster Cleveland’s group of off-ball backers.

UPDATE, 3:45 p.m:

After a big run on Monday, the linebackers had been mostly quiet this morning, but one of the top remaining names has found a landing spot as the Arizona Cardinals have reached an agreement with former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kyzir White.

It was thought that the Steelers might be interested in White due to his history with Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl, who previously held the same role with the Eagles.

The Steelers have three inside linebackers that are set to hit free agency and the position remains one of their largest overall needs.

UPDATE, 3:15 p.m:

It’s been a quiet two days on the defensive line. The Detroit Lions made some news by re-signing John Cominsky.

UPDATE, 2:30 p.m:

One of the best tight ends is leaving the AFC — and the Steelers’ 2023 schedule — as the Las Vegas Raiders are trading Pro Bowler Darrin Waller to the New York Giants for a third-round draft pick.

UPDATE, 2:15 p.m:

It’s a huge signing for the Steelers. Perhaps not in terms of import or salary exchanging hands, but it doesn’t get much bigger than 330-pound guard Nate Herbig.

UPDATE: 2 p.m:

The Steelers’ first move of the day is a retention, with safety Damontae Kazee back in the fold for two more years.

UPDATE: 1:45 p.m: 

One of the top slot wide receivers is off the board as Michael Thomas is returning to the New Orleans Saints. Thomas agreed to an incentive-laden, one-year deal to stay in New Orleans. The Uber-talented receiver has battled significant injuries and has played just 10 games since the start of the 2020 season.

Thomas is just the second of the slot wide receiver options to come off the board, but it is not a particularly deep group. Former Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is now alone at the top of the class.

UPDATE, 12:30 p.m:

Teams retaining their own safeties is starting to become a trend. The Jacksonville Jaguars are brining back Andrew Wingard on a very team-friendly three-year deal. That’s a trend the Steelers could jump on with Terrell Edmunds.

UPDATE, noon:

Woodland Hills alum, defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson is being released by the Seattle Seahawks.

UPDATE, 11 a.m:

Someone finally signed a running back. It was the Dolphins keeping their own.

The safeties were slow to move on Monday, as Jesse Bates III’s big deal took until late in the afternoon to develop. They’re getting off to a faster start in day two, with the Dallas Cowboys locking up Donovan Wilson on a three-year contract worth $24 million.

UPDATE, 10 a.m:

The Las Vegas Raiders got a target for Jimmy Garoppolo, snagging New England Patriots receiver Jacob Meyers on a three-year deal worth $21 million.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trading veteran guard Shaq Mason to the Houston Texans. The Texans will take on his $7.5 million salary, but give up only a swap of late-round draft picks.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey got a new deal with the Miami Dolphins after his trade, increasing his guaranteed money and giving the Fins some cap space.

One day after announcing his return, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has a new deal for $14.25 million this season.

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