Pittsburgh Steelers starting strong safety Terrell Edmunds is expected to test free agency and not re-sign with the team before Monday’s noon contact period begins, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reported Monday. That means teams will be able to contact and have conversations with Edmunds starting at that time.
Edmunds had his fifth-year option declined by the Steelers prior to the Steelers. He tied a career-high of two interceptions in 2021 while racking up 89 tackles on the season. It is a loaded safety class, but Edmunds is young and will have suitors as a result. The Steelers’ first-round pick in 2018, Edmunds has been a starter for the Steelers for four seasons and the running mate of Minkah Fitzpatrick for the past three seasons.
Kinkhabwala also reported that it is likely the team will re-sign cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon came into the starting limelight late in the season, where he was fantastic. He broke up 9 passes, did not allow a single touchdown, allowed only a 50.2 passer rating when targeted, and picked off three passes over the final 8 games of the NFL season. With Joe Haden likely testing free agency as a veteran option as well, resigning Witherspoon became a priority for the Steelers.
Fellow cornerback Joe Haden is likely testing free agency as a veteran option as well. The Steelers brought back rotational slot cornerback Arthur Maulet and backup strong safety Miles Killebrew for depth in the last week. Should Witherspoon be resigned, it would leave Haden and Edmunds as the lone free agents in the Steelers secondary.