The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed several areas of need via free agency during the offseason, but with two games of the 2014 season now in the books, they’ve yet to get much return on their investments.
Safety Mike Mitchell was the Steelers highest priority target during free agency as the team signed him to a five-year, $25 million contract on the first day of the new league year. Mitchell, who started training camp on the PUP list with a groin injury, has registered 12 tackles and two 15-yard penalties so far in the first two games played.
Former San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Cam Thomas was signed in March to a two-year, $4 million contract and so far he hasn’t looked good at all. Thomas, who has spent time at both defensive end and nose tackle during the first two games, has been easily blown off the ball against the run and has yet to register a tackle for a loss.
Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore, who signed a two-year, $3 million contract back in March has yet to play a down for the Steelers in their first two games. Moore has been hampered by a groin injury and the hope is that he will finally make his Steelers debut in the Sunday night game against the Carolina Panthers.
The other four free agents that the Steelers signed during the offseason, running back LeGarrette Blount, linebacker Arthur Moats, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and cornerback Brice McCain are all role players.
Blount has already gotten in trouble off the field during his brief time in Pittsburgh, while McCain missed the regular season opener with a groin injury. As for Heyward-Bey, he was flagged for holding Thursday night in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens and it wiped out a big run by wide receiver Markus Wheaton in the process.
There’s still 14 more games left on the Steelers 2014 schedule, so let’s just hope all of these players can start turning things around quickly.
