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When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Brice McCain off the NFL dump heap after the 2013 season from the Houston Texans, the media laughed at the transaction. The Steelers bet on a reclamation project with McCain, and their gamble paid off after McCain stepped in for Ike Taylor and helped the Steelers win the AFC North in 2014.
The down side to such projects is when they turn out great, the players don't always stick around to see things through. This was the case with McCain as he turned his modest one-year salary into a huge pay day with the Miami Dolphins. Taking his skills to South Beach wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and the team released him after just one year with the club.
So, where does McCain go now? Plenty have speculated a possible reunion in Pittsburgh, but reports are now circulating this may be more truth, than rumor mill fodder.
FA CB Brice McCain is set to visit the #Bucs this week, and the #Steelers also want to bring him in for a visit. Might be in March tho
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 18, 2016
Per Ian Rapoport, every Steelers fans favorite NFL Insider, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Steelers are both planning on bringing in McCain for a visit.
Earlier this week, we here at BTSC posed the question of whether the Steelers should entertain the thought of bringing back McCain, and the discussion was split between the 'yays' and the 'nays'. It doesn't hurt to explore the option, especially with William Gay, Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin all set to become free agents in a few short weeks.
However, McCain is a great slot cornerback, and could be quality depth if the team isn't able to re-sign either Gay or Boykin. If the Steelers retained either of their own free agents, added McCain and welcomed back Senquez Golson off his red-shirt season, that is a plethora of slot cornerbacks. The team will need to find a defensive back able to play on the outside against the likes of A.J. Green and company within the AFC North division.
A lot could happen between now and McCain's visit, but it doesn't hurt to explore all your options.