PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers already released starting center Mason Cole who would be a free agent in 2025 along with last year’s opening day starting QB Mitch Trubisky and tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, who played 77 games with the Steelers. Of those remaining, who is worth bringing back?
5 free agents to keep
Montravius Adams-DL
A third-round pick of the Packers in 2017, Adams was claimed late in the 2021 season from the Saints and started four of five games after immediately going into the lineup. Adams has started 17 of the last 30 games he’s played with 50 tackles, four tackles for loss, three passes defended and a forced fumble.
Adams is still only 28 even though he’s been in the league seven seasons out of Auburn. He can play out at tackle or play in the middle and provides valuable, experienced depth at what would be an affordable price. He has said often of how he enjoys playing in Pittsburgh.
Miles Killebrew-S
Voted the best special teams player in the game in 2023, Killebrew is a game-changer on kick units along with being a sure tackler. His three blocked punts since joining the Steelers in 2021 is more than any team has had over those three seasons.
A fourth-round pick by Detroit in 2016 out of Southern Utah, the 30-year-old is the perfect teammate and leader.
Markus Golden-OLB
After several attempts to find a veteran back-up outside linebacker, they found one who can still play in a pinch along with being able to accept his role on the team. The 33-year-old played 230 snaps in 16 games with four sacks, six tackles for loss, a pass defensed and 20 tackles overall.
Golden has multiple double-digit sacks in his career and not only serves as a backup, but a good example for young outside linebacker Nick Herbig.
Miles Boykin-WR
It’s the special teams aspect of it, not to emerge as a receiving deep threat. Late in the season we would see George Pickens spend more time around Boykin’s locker. It coincides with the time that Pickens really bought into what he needed to do as a receiver. How he needed to block hard and accept he won’t get the ball every time. Boykin is the type of veteran who can be that kind of influence.
The cost is low, the value on special teams is high. And the value doesn’t stop there.
Mykal Walker-LB
Steelers took a flier on Walker in mid-November after the Kwon Alexander injury which came after the Cole Holcomb injury. Walker jumped right into the pile, playing eight games and starting five. The 26-year-old had 33 total tackles, a couple of tackles for loss and a pick. Had four solid coverage games in the last four of the regular season, as he settled into the lineup.
He’s a solid tackler that is anxious to prove he’s the 100-tackle linebacker he was in Atlanta in 2022.
None of these players break the bank and provide valuable experience, depth and leadership.