– The Steelers met with free agent RB Maurice Jones-Drew on Wednesday and Thursday, but the veteran back did not leave Pittsburgh with a contract. The team is looking for an experienced back-up to starter Le’Veon Bell. Jones-Drew is receiving interest from several additional teams. Perhaps if the former Pro Bowler does not find a starting job with another team, the issue can be reexamined down the line.
– The rumored deal between the Carolina Panthers and free agent WR Jerricho Cotchery has been turned into reality. Reports are that the deal is for two years, but the confirmed numbers are not being made immediately available.
– WR Lance Moore also visited the Steelers on Wednesday, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. His visit was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was delayed. He also left town without a contract. The New England Patriots are also interested in Moore, says Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
– With Cotchery gone and Antonio Brown the only bona-fide starting WR on the roster, the Steelers will need to begin getting serious about finding a veteran receiver. Second-year WR Markus Wheaton has potential – and the team will almost certainly use their first pick on the position – but they are one injury away from a very serious problem.
– The Steelers met with CB Chris Owens on Thursday. Owens is a five-year veteran who has played for the Dolphins, Browns, and Falcons in his career. The Steelers would be interested in Owens as a depth signing for their defensive secondary and a special teams player. Owens has also met with Tampa Bay this offseason.
– The Steelers will not face further penalties – including no loss of a draft pick – for the incident in Week 13 where head coach Mike Tomlin stepped onto the field during a Baltimore Ravens kick return, according to Steelers President Art Rooney II.
AFC North Update:
– In a story that is getting a great deal of play locally, the Steelers have expressed interest in bringing back former NFL Defensive Player of the Year OLB James Harrison after a year of exile in Cincinnati. The Steelers would be looking at a one-year deal for Harrison, with financial terms dictated by the laws of supply and demand (if anybody else wants him, perhaps it would be higher than league veteran minimum).
– Free agent DE Alex Carrington, who the Steelers visited with earlier this month and seem to be very interested in, visited the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday. Carrington played under new Browns head coach Mike Pettine in Buffalo, where Pettine was the Bills defensive coordinator. Cleveland has plenty of money left under the salary cap to sign Carrington if they so desire.
– The Cincinnati Bengals signed free agent QB Jason Campbell to a one-year deal. Campbell played last season for the Cleveland Browns, starting eight games. The Bengals will use him as the primary backup to starting QB Andy Dalton – NOT as competition, according to Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. Also, the Bengals met with free agent WR Louis Murphy on Thursday.
– Free agent SS James Ihedigbo has been expected to sign with the Detroit Lions, but according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, the Ravens are still showing interest in retaining his services.
