'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAcQAAIBAwQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgAEBwUGISIRFDIBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEEQACAQQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhEAAwRhEkJS/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDN14l2k7TfRF5qMBaXZcpzIJdPugERAAgI9hzLsfFRNwti67bO4bdbkkx0iyZLUcylyT8UpS2nuOSWd5hex8ipstinFVgAa2a//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers ended 2022 with yet another non-losing season, but it would be disingenuous to call the 2023 NFL season a successful one for the Steelers. The days of Big Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and the other cool guys are long gone. This iteration of the Steelers is filled with square pegs in round holes and many players who should be performing better.
However, with the 2023 free agency window about to open, we will list three players the Pittsburgh Steelers should target to reshape their roster.
The top three 2023 free agent targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Here are the top three 2023 free agents that the Pittsburgh Steelers should go after:
3. Daron Payne, defensive tackle
The defensive tackle position was one of the weakest for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL season, but thankfully there's a ready-made stud to plug the gap. Daron Payne is the man for the job, and his Washington Commanders stat line from last season shows just as much. At 6'3" and 320 pounds, Payne is also nimble enough to shed blockers and rush the pass from the interior.
He finished 2022 with 11.5 sacks from a position where sacks are not daily. Payne is a player who could serve the Steelers for a decade and Kenny Pickett's side would be myopic not to see the vision. A five-year contract worth $97 million should do the trick and tempt him to jump ship from DC to Pittsburgh.
2. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, defensive back
The Philadelphia Eagles had one heck of a run in the 2022 Super Bowl game. Unfortunately, they are set to lose some of their heroes from that run. The reason is that some key pieces are awaiting extensions, so they will need to trade off or release some assets, with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson likely being one of them.
However, Gardner-Johnson has nothing to worry about, as his last season performance earned him a lot of admirers. He has versatility in positions of need for the Steelers and has led all defenders to interceptions in five fewer games.
His addition to the Steelers could prove to be a masterstroke. He should be available at a token price of 5 years for $66 million.
1. Kyzir White, Linebacker
Linebackers need love too, and Kyzir White is the embodiment of a defensive powerhouse. His coverage skills are better than any other linebacker on the current roster, and his work ethic is infectious to an organization.
The Philadelphia Eagles currently have White under contract, but like the case of Gardner-Johnson, they stand the risk of losing him for nothing. The Pittsburgh Steelers don't mind, though, as White would be a significant upgrade on every linebacker on the current Steelers' roster. A contract worth $17 million over two years should do the trick.
