NFL Free Agency Rumors: Steelers host TE James O’Shaughnessy in free agent visit

The Pittsburgh Steelers only have two tight ends on their roster with real NFL experience. After losing Jesse James in free agency to the Detroit Lions, the Steelers were hoping to add a tight end to go along with Vance McDonald and Xavier Grimble.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the team started the process by hosting former Jaguars tight end James O’Shaughnessy Monday.

O’Shaughnessy started his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, spending his first two years there. Afterwards, he spent two seasons with the Jaguars. In both locations he never caught over 250 yards in a season, but he is coming off arguably his best season of his career.

Last year, with Blake Bortles as his quarterback, O’Shaughnessy caught 24 passes on 38 targets for 214 yards. While he only has one career touchdown, his role has never been as a premier pass catcher.

The kicker for this scenario for Pittsburgh is about salary cap space. The team is making deals and has all but exhausted their remaining salary cap space. There are moves which can be made to create more cap space, like giving Ben Roethlisberger a new contract, and the team will have some time to get that number right this summer.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they continue to press on through the offseason.