Mason Rudolph, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has expressed his desire to be re-signed in a very public manner. However, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic speculated on February 6 that, in an ideal world, the Steelers would also sign cornerback Levi Wallace again.
Wallace is the free agent that the Steelers would most like to re-sign, according to Kaboly’s ranking. Rudolph ranked first.
Kaboly wrote, “The Steelers would love to have Wallace back.”
That claim made sense in light of what Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported in January regarding Wallace and the Steelers.
“The Steelers’ free agency class is not star-studded, but Wallace has been a solid starter over two years in Pittsburgh, producing six interceptions and 12 pass breakups since 2022,” Fowler wrote. “I could see him staying there on another two-year deal closer to free agency.”
To Fowler’s point, Wallace is Pittsburgh’s only free agent this offseason who started at least nine games in 2023.
Spotrac projected Wallace’s market value to be $11.88 million on a two-year contract. Such a deal would pay the veteran cornerback an average annual salary of $5.9 million.
Could the Pittsburgh Steelers Bring Back CB Levi Wallace?
Kaboly contended that the Steelers would really like to have Wallace on the 2024 roster. However, Kaboly didn’t predict general manager Omar Khan to prioritize the veteran cornerback.
Kaboly stated, “Even after a season in which he started nine games, played in sixteen, and logged 69 percent of the defensive snaps, [Wallace is] surely not at the top of their free-agent priority list.” “The Steelers have the luxury to experiment with their No. 2 guy as Joey Porter Jr. emerges as the clear No. 1 cornerback.”
Kaboly predicts the Steelers “snooping around free agency” for younger players with greater potential rather than signing Wallace right away.
Analysts have linked cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Jaylon Johnson to the Steelers. Both may be available for free this offseason.
But even if they become available, the Steelers don’t have a lot of cap space to work with ahead of 2024.
Should the Steelers not find another option, they could then circle back to re-sign Wallace.
Why the Steelers Should Re-Sign Wallace
The Steelers’ choice regarding Wallace’s free agency may also be influenced by Patrick Peterson’s future. The 33-year-old’s deal is set to expire in 2024, although there have been rumors that he would be lost to cap space this summer.
Peterson also advised him to relocate for safety.
The Steelers won’t have much depth at cornerback when free agency rolls around if they lose Peterson. Pittsburgh’s pending free agents are cornerbacks James Pierre, Chandler Sullivan, and Elijah Riley in addition to Wallace.
Kaboly’s list of free agent cornerbacks that the Steelers should re-sign had Sullivan at number seven. However, Kaboly proposed that Peterson may play more nickel to cover for Sullivan if the Steelers re-sign Wallace.
The Steelers will have Joey Porter Jr. back in the starting lineup in 2024 in addition to Peterson. Porter, the No. 32 overall selection in 2023, is anticipated to grow into the team’s next disruptive cornerback.
The Steelers have 2024 contracts with cornerbacks Nate Meadors, Marcus Rush, Cory Trice, Joshua Scott, Luq Barcoo, Kalon Barnes, and Thomas Graham Jr.
