With free agency set to begin Wednesday, there will be plenty of action starting Monday, when "legal" tampering can begin to take place. There will be news of agreements reached and players released. The market will continue to change as teams release players when they sign others they feel are upgrades.
So where will that leave the Steelers?
As usually is the case, the Steelers won't be very active on the free agent market. They never are. In fact, there have only been a couple of instances when the team has signed a free agent in the opening days of the period.
They typically wait for the smoke to clear and for the big spenders to blow their money. Then they swoop in and grab some bargains, such as Tyson Alualu last year.
The Steelers also don't have a lot of salary cap space after placing the franchise tag on Le'Veon Bell. The subsequent move to restructure Antonio Brown's contact left the Steelers with just over $1 million in salary cap space, hardly enough money to allow them to make any big moves.
But Mike Mitchell will be released, with that move likely coming in the next couple of days, and William Gay also could be released or announce his retirement. Those two moves would create an additional $6.75 million in cap space. Another restructure -- say, of Cameron Heyward -- could create another $5 million in cap space.
However, the restructures are kicking some of the money down the road, and eventually, those bills have to be paid. And the team also must keep enough money on hand to pay its 2018 draft class -- $3 to $4 million in cap space -- and make offer sheets to restricted free agents Chris Boswell and Anthony Chickillo, so that won't leave a lot of room for free agents.
The bottom line is that the Steelers are likely one and done in free agency, so they had better make whatever signing they choose to make a good one.
That also changes some of the targets the team could have looked at a month ago when we took our first look at free agency here.
And since the Steelers aren't likely to pull the franchise tag from Bell or try to trade him -- just to nip those comments in the bud -- because they want him on their roster in 2018 and beyond, this is the money with which they have to work unless they work out a long-term deal with the All-Pro running back.
So here's a look at some of the players currently available whom the Steelers could target given the circumstances:
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Gerald Hodges, New Orleans: Just 27, Hodges has bounced around a bit, spending time with Minnesota -- which drafted him in the fourth round in 2013 -- San Francisco and New Orleans. The Saints signed him to a one-year deal and then barely used him in 2017. But the former Penn State star started 12 games for the 49ers in 2016 and had 83 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. He plays the run well and isn't a liability in coverage, as would be expected from a former safety. He would be a nice bridge linebacker/backup to whatever rookie the Steelers draft, while adding some much-needed depth.
Christian Jones, Chicago: Jones, 27, has been productive for the Bears despite going undrafted out of Florida State, where he played with Vince Williams. In four seasons, he has made 31 starts, recording 260 tackles, including 90 last season, when he also had two sacks, two pass defenses and a forced fumble. Like Hodges, he would help provide depth and serve as a bridge for a young linebacker.
Kemal Ishamael, Atlanta: A former college safety at Central Florida, where he was the Conference USA defensive player of the year in 2012, Ishmael has carved out a role as a sub-package linebacker for the Falcons. He didn't play much as a rookie, but has been a mainstay for Atlanta since, recording 224 tackles, 12 passes defensed and five interceptions in the past four seasons. Ishmael would be a nice chess piece.
Paul Posluszny, Jacksonville: At 34, Posluszny isn't what he once was, which is why he is now just a two-down linebacker. But he's still good against the run and could provide a veteran presence. But I don't see the Steelers necessarily going this route unless he wants to play for the veteran minimum.
SAFETY
Bradley McDougald, Seattle: A former college receiver, McDougald, 27, doesn't have blazing speed, but makes up for it with his anticipation in center field. A starter in Tampa Bay in 2015 and 2016, he signed a one-year deal with Seattle last season and started nine games, recording 75 tackles but failing to intercept a pass. He did have five interceptions and 21 pass defenses in the previous three seasons in Tampa Bay. (Editor's Note: McDougald signed a three-year, $13.95-million extension with Seattle Monday).
Terrence Brooks, Jets: A former Florida State star, Brooks, 26, has never gotten a shot to be a starter in stops with Baltimore, Philadelphia and the Jets. But he has been productive in limited playing time, picking off three passes the past two seasons as a sub-package player. Brooks ran a 4.42 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2014. He can fly and would be a core special teams player, as well.
Jairus Byrd, Carolina: A former Pro Bowl free safety, Byrd, 31, didn't see a lot of playing time last season in Carolina last season. But he started 16 games for New Orleans in 2016, recording a pair of interceptions, to give him 25 for his career. The question is, can he still run?
Tayvon Wilson, Detroit: Wilson, a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2012, spent four seasons in New England before playing for Detroit the past two years. He had a down season in 2017, but has eight career interceptions and could be willing to sign a one-year prove-it deal.