The Pittsburgh Steelers are meeting with free agent DeAngelo Williams and he could be a potential target after reports that Le'Veon Bell will be dealing with a suspension to start the 2015 and this comes as Pitt is looking to lock in Ben Roethlisberger on a new contract extension, as he is coming into the final season of his deal.
Williams has been on the market and he could have some suitors after the Panthers let him go. According to Adam Schefter on Twitter, Williams will be meeting with the Steelers on Friday and he could be a solid option to come in. Williams likely will be cheaper than other backs because of his age and his injury season last year and that could make him a good candidate to sign up. Bell, according to ESPN.com is going to be suspended to start the season and that means the Steelers need an option to open the year.
UPDATE: The team has signed Deangelo Williams and Big Ben is getting a five year contract extenison.
Bell likely will get 2-4 games, according to John Clayton, and with him being such an important part of the offense, the Steelers must replace him at least for a little bit. According to Pro Football Talk, the Panthers cut DeAngelo Williams this offseason and that will save the team nearly $2 million on the cap. Last season Williams had 219 yards in six games and if the Steelers sign him they will expect him to stay healthy.
According to ESPN.com, the team is awaiting news on Troy Polamalu, as he may retire and he has not yet decided on his future. The team is also working on an extension with Ben Roethlisberger and GM Kevin Colbert said that a deal likely would get done this offseason. Big Ben is coming into the final season of his eight year contract extension with the Steelers. Roethlisberger comes in after putting up nearly 5000 yards and he had 32 touchdowns and just nine picks last season while competing over 67 percent of his passes.
The Steelers are coming into the offseason after making the playoffs last year and losing in the first round and now they are looking to get back to the postseason again. Roethlisberger had one of his best seasons and that means he is likely to get somewhat of a raise, although it won't be huge compared to what his last contract had. Roethlisberger has seemingly gotten better with age and the offense around him has really developed with Bell and the young receivers like Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant.
Williams is going to be 32-years-old when next season starts and he is coming off of an injury plagued year with the Panthers, playing in just six games. Williams could be a solid low risk, high upside option after his 2014 season, as he was previously very durable over the previous three seasons, missing just one game in that time. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman made another move like this with a franchise fan favorite player in Steve Smith and now Williams is the next one to go. Williams was banged up last year and now he has a chance to bounce back.