The Pittsburgh Steelers are clearly in “win now” mode for the 2017 season. I prefer the term “all in” when you are talking about a team who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring another championship to the Steel City.
Either way you word it, having this type of approach would certainly have the organization leaving no stone unturned when it comes to improving their roster.
In other words, hello T.J. Ward.
The #Broncos have informed three-time Pro Bowler and all-pro safety TJ Ward that he's been released, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 2, 2017
The surprising release of Ward doesn’t just come as a shock, but also comes at a time when a safety could be the missing piece of the Steelers’ defensive puzzle. This isn’t a slight at Mike Mitchell, or Sean Davis, but Ward is a proven commodity, and Mitchell hasn’t even sniffed a football field since the first padded practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA this summer.
Adding Ward, which likely won’t be cheap, would help the Steelers secondary in a multitude of ways. However, when you think a player would cost too much money, sometimes having a chance to win it all trumps the dollar amount on the pay check.
Just look at Joe Haden for an example. Reports were the Dolphins, Saints, Cowboys and others offered more, but he chose the Steelers. Why? Because he wanted a great organization who has a legit chance at winning a Super Bowl in 2017.
Although the team would have to figure out how pay Ward, they would also have to utilize Ward in the secondary, especially if/when Mitchell gets back on the field. Ward will have plenty of suitors, and if the Steelers are all-in for 2017, they would be one of those potential landing spots.
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