Next in our Pittsburgh Steelers' free-agent watch is cornerback Brice McCain.
2014 pay: McCain had a base salary of $795,000. He counted just $635,000 against the salary cap after signing a veteran minimum contract.
By the numbers: McCain tied cornerback William Gay for the team lead with three interceptions in 2014. He returned one of them 22 yards for a touchdown in a 17-9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, helping the Steelers stave off an upset bid by one of the worst teams in the league. McCain started 10 games, including the Steelers’ AFC wild-card loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and recorded 24 tackles and was credited with five passes defended in the regular season.
The case for keeping him: McCain proved to be a find after the Steelers signed the former Houston Texan last March. The sixth-year veteran opened the season as the Steelers’ No. 4 cornerback. He ended it as a starter and helped the Steelers overcome the struggles of Cortez Allen, who fell out of favor with the coaches before going on injured reserve in December. McCain resuscitated his career after struggling in 2013 and the Steelers love the feistiness that the 5-foot-9, 190-pounder brings to practices and games.
The case for letting him walk: McCain is 29 and he may have had a career year in 2014 when he had something to prove after the Texans dumped him. He has probably reached his ceiling and the Steelers may find a cornerback with more upside in free agency.
Prediction: McCain is in a similar situation as outside linebacker Arthur Moats. He outplayed the one-year contract he signed with the Steelers last year and is deserving of a raise. He should get some play in free agency if the Steelers don’t re-sign McCain before March 10, and the team may let the market decide his value before trying to re-sign him. The Steelers will give Allen every opportunity to win back the starting job he lost last season. Even if Allen rebounds, McCain gives the Steelers a solid option at nickelback and the team will bring him back with a deal that is fair to both sides.