Do Steelers have big moves in store during 2024 free agency? - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — With an unprecedented league-wide $30 million increase in the salary cap and the release of a handful of veterans, the Pittsburgh Steelers enter general manager Omar Khan's second free agency with a little money to spend. Even so, the Steelers aren't a franchise that opens the checkbook for outside free agents.

A year ago, their biggest free agent contract was awarded to returning defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi in a front-loaded three-year, $28.75 million deal. But Khan was more aggressive than his predecessor in acquiring several starting-caliber players including Patrick Peterson, Isaac Seumalo, Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb.

The Steelers have a similar positional wish list to 2023: inside linebacker, cornerback, offensive line and safety. Quarterback, of course, is a significant position of need, but Khan would have to significantly deviate from the Steelers' standard business practices to bring in an available top-tier quarterback. Here's what to expect from the Steelers when the league's legal tampering period opens on Monday at noon ET.

Khan earned a reputation as a wheeling and dealing general manager throughout his first year in the position with moves like flipping wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for what turned out to be the No. 32 overall pick, but his debut season's magnum opus came in free agency.

Typically a conservative team in their approach to adding outside free agents, the Steelers kicked off the 2023 legal tampering period by agreeing to terms with veteran cornerback Peterson. From there, Khan not only reshaped the inside linebacker room by signing Holcomb and Roberts, but he also inked former Eagles guard Seumalo to further bolster the offensive line, a group that