Another day and another Pittsburgh Steelers free agent has been re-signed as Trai Essex reports via Twitter that he is back with the Steelers. No terms of the deal have been announced, but it figures to be a one-year deal for the veteran minimum.
I am ecstatic to announce that I am back with the @Steelers !There is no place like #SteelerNation #EverydayIsABlessing
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) April 12, 2012
Essex, as I pointed out recently in another post, has dropped a considerable amount of weight and is looking very fit. He figures to offer depth on the interior line heading into training camp and can also play tackle in a pinch if needed. Essex even played center last year against the St. Louis Rams after Doug Legursky went down with a shoulder injury early in the game.
Essex was originally drafted by the Steelers in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft. He was an unrestricted free agent last season and was signed back to the roster after being told to drop some weight. He played just over 325 snaps on offense for the Steelers in 2012 and it included snaps at all 5 spots on the offensive line.
The Steelers have now re-signed two of their own unrestricted free agents in as many days as it was announced on Wednesday that wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery had agreed to return to Pittsburgh on a two year deal worth $3 million.
