The Pittsburgh Steelers maintain their dominance in the NFL by relying on stacked draft classes. However, sometimes the team turns toward free agency for help. Needless to say, Pittsburgh drafts better players than it signs.
The five worst free agent signings in Steelers history set the franchise back several years and cost the team millions of dollars. Hopefully, Pittsburgh will make better judgments this coming offseason.
5. Quincy Morgan, WR
The Steelers signed Morgan before the 2005 season. Morgan, a 2001 second round pick by the Cleveland Browns, established himself as a quality receiver during the early part of his career.
Morgan was only two years removed from a season where he tallied 56 receptions for 964 yards and seven touchdowns when Pittsburgh signed him. However, he made little to no impact during his time in the Steel City.
Pittsburgh gave Morgan a one-year deal, hoping he could contribute on a roster that recently lost Plaxico Burress and Lee Mays. While the Steelers did win the Super Bowl that season, Morgan had nothing to do with it. He served primarily as a kick returner.
During the regular season, Morgan recorded nine receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. This drop off came after producing 155 receptions, 2,316 yards, and 15 touchdowns during his first four seasons.
Morgan signed with the Denver Broncos in 2006, appearing in seven more games before exiting the NFL stage for good.
4. Jay Riemersma, TE
The Buffalo Bills drafted Riemersma in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL Draft. During his six seasons with the Bills, Riemersma accumulated 204 receptions, 2,304 yards, and 20 touchdowns. In 2002, he posted career highs with 53 receptions and 590 yards.
Pittsburgh signed Riemersma to a three-year deal worth roughly $4 million in 2003. However, Riemersma saw his production drastically drop off that season. He only made ten receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown.
The following year, Riemersma fared even worse. He caught seven passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers parted ways with the Michigan product that offseason and drafted Heath Miller.
3. Todd Peterson, K
After the 2001 season, the Steelers moved on from kicker Kris Brown. A seventh round selection in 1999, Brown experienced success in his first two seasons with the team before hitting a wall. He only made 68.2% of his field goals and 91.9% of his extra points in 2001.
Pittsburgh signed Peterson to a four-year, $3.925 million contract. The team anticipated he would be around for the long run, but that wasn't the case.
After the team's first ten games, Pittsburgh placed Peterson on injured reserve and put their trust in Jeff Reed. During his brief stint as the team's kicker, Peterson only made 12 of his 21 field goal attempts. After converting on just 57.1% of his attempts, Peterson knew he'd run out of luck in the Steel City.
The Steelers cut Peterson after the 2002 season.
2. Sean Mahan, C
In 2007, the Steelers agreed to a five-year, $17 million deal with Mahan. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Mahan spent the first four years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rotating between guard and center. The Steelers hoped Mahan could become their next anchor at center.
The Steelers needed a replacement for Jeff Hartings, who played his last snap in 2006. Hartings made two Pro Bowls with the team, carrying on the tradition passed on to him by Dermontti Dawson and Mike Webster. However, Mahan broke Pittsburgh's chain of great centers.
Mahan regularly got overpowered in 2007 and often resorted to committing penalties. After one complete season, the disgusted Steelers shipped Mahan back to Tampa Bay. He played for two more seasons but never served as a full-time starter again.
1. Ladarius Green, TE
Pittsburgh inked Green to a four-year deal worth $20 million in 2016. The former fourth round pick showed some potential during his first four seasons with the Chargers, but the Steelers hoped he could become a starter. Pittsburgh needed a tight end since Miller retired following the 2015 season.
Green turned into an absolute bust. After landing on injured reserve during his final year with the Chargers, Green started 2016 on the physically unable to perform list. Pittsburgh activated him in November and saw how little the Louisiana product had to offer.
That season, Green appeared in six games, and he recorded 18 receptions for 304 yards and one touchdown. He sustained a concussion late in the season and missed Pittsburgh's playoff run. Green also suffered concussions during his time with the Chargers.
Following the season, Pittsburgh released Green with a failed physical designation. He never played in the NFL again.
