Pittsburgh Steelers linked to two-time Pro Bowl safety

After trading Minkah Fitzpatrick as part of the blockbuster trade they executed with the Miami Dolphins, could the Pittsburgh Steelers decide to go out and make a free agent splash?

The most obvious player for them to do that with would be safety Justin Simmons, who remains a free agent by his own choice, waiting for the right team to call him. In an interview two weeks ago, Simmons noted he wanted to go a contender.

“I think Atlanta, I would still pick ten times out of ten if I was in the same spot I was last year,” Simmons said to Sean Keeler of the Denver Post. “But in terms of where I am now, I’m being a little bit more picky about where I go and where I want to call home the next two years, a year, whatever. A contender is No. 1 on the list right now.”

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox named the Steelers as the ‘logical landing spot’ for Simmons, with a hole at safety and Simmons’ preference for a contender. The Steelers’ moves have signalled a willingness to try and win in 2025.

Simmons, 31, had two interceptions and 62 tackles in 16 games with the Falcons in 2024. He will turn 32 during the season.

Even if it is for one last ‘hurrah,’ Simmons would make sense to play alongside DeShon Elliott, who just received a new extension at strong safety.

Simmons is coming off his worst year statistically since 2017. The cost to sign him would likely be cheaper than it was a year ago, as a result, when he signed for $7.5 million with the Falcons.