The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few major holes on both offense and defense that they need to fill through both free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. On offense, they need a center and help at the tackle position. Defensively, they could use help everywhere besides outside linebacker/edge rusher. They need more depth along the line, another starting-caliber cornerback, and help at safety and linebacker. Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has Pittsburgh plucking a linebacker from the Carolina Panthers to address their needs.
Steelers Land Frankie Luvu In Free Agency
In a recent article published by CBS Sports, Benjamin did a one round mock draft of the top 32 free agents that will be available during the 2024 offseason. The draft order was decided by projected cap space in 2024, and the Steelers were given the 25th selection. A handful of players were not included in the exercise due to the expectation that they will be franchise tagged by their respective organization. In this exercise, the Steelers signed former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu.
“A QB like Ryan Tannehill would make sense here, but the Steelers have been swinging at linebackers for years. Luvu finally gives them a fast, physical, ascending playmaker whose blitzing skills should pair nicely with those of T.J. Watt.”
The Steelers’ linebacker group was definitely a highlight for the team in the 2023 season. However, two of their top three linebackers suffered season-ending injuries which forced them to sign players midseason and pluck guys off of the practice squad. Two of those top three linebackers, Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, are under contract with Pittsburgh for 2024. Kwon Alexander on the other hand, is a free agent, and the Steelers may opt to sign a younger linebacker like Luvu.
Luvu has gotten better every single season. He was originally signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2018, and then signed with the Panthers prior to the 2021 NFL season. Luvu had his best season yet in 2023, and it was the first time he started every game of any given season.
He finished the year with 125 total tackles, two forced fumbles, five and a half sacks, 10 tackles for loss and five pass break ups. He flies all over the field and is extremely productive from the linebacker position.
Luvu had his breakout season in 2022, when he had 111 total tackles along with a pick six, seven sacks, and a forced fumble. He has been one of the best players in the Panthers organization, and it’s unclear whether or not they will make a serious push to re-sign him. Luvu will be 27 at the start of the 2024 NFL season, which makes him a better option to sign instead of bringing back Alexander to fill the need at linebacker. Alexander will be 30 during the 2024 season, and he will be trying to bounce back from an achilles injury.
Luvu’s market value is estimated to be in the ballpark of $11.2 million in average annual salary. He is projected to receive a four year deal worth roughly $45 million. His production is certainly worth the price, but he has only had this level of success for two seasons on a bad Panthers team. Is Luvu just an average NFL linebacker that shined bright on a bad Carolina team? Is he really worth that price?
The Steelers already have Roberts and Holcomb returning for 2024, and both were productive and reliable in 2023 when healthy. If Pittsburgh makes a move for a linebacker, it should just be for depth, either through the draft or a cheap free agent. With Roberts and Holcomb leading the inside linebackers, there is no need to sign a linebacker to a $45 million deal.
