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At the end of the season, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told members of the media the team would look to sign their own before looking anywhere else. Although the NFL Free Agency period has yet to begin, it starts March 9th, the team has been able to sign their own free agents to new contract.
The first order of business for the black and gold has been to lock up as many Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA) that they want to keep. On the same day they signed Anthony Chickillo to a one-year contract, they also agreed on terms of a one-year contract for running back Fitzgerald Toussaint.
Steelers sign RB Fitz Toussaint to one-year exclusive rights deal, per source. Toussaint was third-string tailback and part of KR rotation
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 1, 2017
The signing makes a lot of sense, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the Steelers running back situation moving into 2017.
Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams are both set to become free agents, and although most would agree Bell isn’t going anywhere, the team needs to stabilize their running back depth outside of Bell and Karlos Williams. Toussaint is a solid backup, and is a player on special teams.
The Steelers still have some ERFA to ink sooner than later, and some names are B.J. Finney and Alejandro Villanueva. Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest on free agent rumors, signings and acquisitions.