With the 2014 free agency signing period less than three weeks away, we are gearing up for it by taking a look back at the Pittsburgh Steelers free agent signings dating back to 2000, when Kevin Colbert became the general manager.
So far we have recapped the first nine years of Colbert’s tenure in Pittsburgh as it relates to the signing of free agents from other teams and today we will look at what happened in free agency prior to the 2008 season. Please keep in mind that these free agent signing recaps will be limited to only free agents from other teams that were signed prior to June 1st of that offseason as those are the ones that count when determining whether or not a team a team receives compensatory draft picks. The ones that are usually signed after that date are pretty much cheap, one or two year deals for the most part.
The 2009 offseason really didn’t move the needle as far as signings went during the main part of free agency as the Steelers signed just two unrestricted free agents from other teams to minimum value contracts. Below is a quick recap of those signing and I will also remind you that the salary cap for the 2009 season increased to $123 million per team.
Keiwan Ratliff – April 24, 2009 – 2009 was a lean year for the Steelers when it came to free agency signings and they didn’t make their first one until late April when Indianapolis Colts unrestricted free agent cornerback Keiwan Ratliff agreed to a one-year, $620,000 contract. Ratliff’s signing helped add depth to the roster after cornerback Bryant McFadden left in free agency to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. Ratliff played all of 86 snaps on defense for the Steelers over the course of eight games in 2009 and was ultimately let go in the latter part of November.
Shaun McDonald – May 1, 2009 – Detroit Lions unrestricted free agent wide receiver Shaun McDonald was the second notable signing that offseason as he was brought on board to help on special teams and add depth to wide receiver position. McDonald, who also signed a one-year, $620,000 contract dressed for just four games in 2009 and played all of 11 snaps on offense before finally being released in late November so that practice squad quarterback Tyler Palko could be promoted from the practice squad.
Previous Articles In This Series
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2000 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2001 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2002 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2003 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2004 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2005 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2006 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2007 Season
Recapping The Steelers Free Agency Signings During The Kevin Colbert Era – 2008 Season
