With the start of free agency a week away here is a look at the Steelers’ top eight free agents. I did not include running back Ben Tate since he played just one game after signing with the Steelers at the end of December -- and since I don’t expect him to return to Pittsburgh.
We start our Steelers’ free-agent watch with wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
2014 pay: Heyward-Bey made $795,000 but counted just $635,000 against the salary cap since the Steelers signed him to a veteran minimum deal.
By the numbers: Heyward-Bey played in every game last season and caught just three passes for 33 yards. The sixth-year veteran, however, played a significant role on special teams. Heyward-Bey emerged as a core player on special teams and recorded five tackles on those units. One of those forced a fumble on a fake punt the Steelers stopped in a 27-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals that delivered their first AFC North title since 2010.
The case for keeping him: Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft, accepted a bit role on offense and embraced playing special teams. The Steelers need this kind of player for the back end of their wide receivers rotation since their No. 5 wideout won’t get a lot of snaps barring injury and has to make an impact on special teams. Heyward-Bey still has blazing speed and has produced at this level, making him solid injury insurance at wide receiver.
The case for letting him walk: Heyward-Bey may balk at returning to a team that can only offer him a limited role and no guarantee of even making the team in 2015. The free-agent market will be flooded with wide receivers, so the Steelers should look elsewhere if Heyward-Bey wants more money or a more significant role with them.
Prediction: This is a tough call. It is a no-brainer for the Steelers to re-sign Heyward-Bey if the terms are similar to last year and he is willing to reprise his 2014 role. Heyward-Bey just turned 28 and should have plenty of football left in him. Does he want to spend another season of his prime playing primarily on special teams? The market, however, is going to work against Heyward-Bey. The guess is that he returns to the Steelers for another season after seeing what else is out there.