PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The scrutiny as tough for him as any player besides Devin Bush. The similarity they were both first round picks and haven't lived up to expectations. Did Terrell Edmunds show enough in his 'show me' season to convince the Steelers to try and retain him?
Edmunds finished third on the team with 89 tackles, 63 solo. He was second on the team with a pair of interceptions. If he weren't a first-round pick, public opinion would likely be higher of his performance.
There is Minkah factor. The Steelers want to sign safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to a long-term contract. He said at the end of the year how much he enjoyed working with Edmunds. How they 'take stuff off each other's plate' and he enjoys being around him and is a better player because of him.
"You know, they've gotten continuity," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in January. "They've played together for a number of years, both former first rounders from the same draft.
They're getting to the point in their career where their snap experience aids them individually and collectively, so we're just reaping the rewards of that continuity and that gained experience that they have individually and collectively."
"Both of those safeties are big-time values for us," said then-Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler in January. "If you have good safeties, you have a chance to keep people from scoring. I am grateful that we got them, both of them. They are playing well together. They are making calls back there for us and keeping everyone on the same page. I'm glad we got them."
Is bringing back Edmunds a first step to keeping Fitzpatrick?
"Every year we've been getting better together, getting more comfortable with each other," Edmunds said. "We really just build off each other. (We are making) tackles all back and forth and just making plays and smacking each other on the helmet. Laughing, having a good time out there and building a chemistry and something that is special."
WHY SIGN HIM
· The chemistry reasons stated above including keeping Fitzpatrick happy
· He just turned 25-years-old and tied his career-highs in interceptions and set a career-high in TFL
· Has been pretty durable starting 60 games in four seasons
· Strong relationship with new Steelers defensive coordinator and his position coach Teryl Austin
WHY NOT
· Still hasn't performed to first-round level expectations
· While great relationship with Fitzpatrick, could be better option in draft/free agency
· 12th ranked free agent safety by Pro Football Focus, 71st safety overall
COST
The lower ranking means Edmunds is affordable, PFF estimates a three-year deal worth around $15 million.
High end-25-year-old Saints Marcus Williams, PFF says $16 million a year on likely a 4-year deal
Bargain-25-year-old New Castle native Malik Hooker at $2.5 million per PFF
