With the free agency period set to start in just over a month, we decided to take some time to make the case for and against the Pittsburgh Steelers keeping some of their top unrestricted free agents. This time around we are looking at guard Ramon Foster.
The case to keep-Foster is a 10-year veteran who took himself from undrafted free agent to starting 131 games for Pittsburgh. He’s often overshadowed by center Maurkice Pouncey and fellow guard David DeCastro because they are both first-round picks but make no mistake, Foster plays at a very high level week after week. Additionally, Foster is one of the genuinely good guys in the league, never an issue on or off the field and a leader on the offense.
The case to pass-There are really only two reasons the Steelers wouldn’t re-sign Foster. First is money. If Foster looks at the money he’s made compared to his teammates on the offensive line he could decide he’s been grossly underpaid and look to catch some of that money up. If this happens, the Steelers might let him sign elsewhere.
But the only way this happens is if the Steelers have the confidence in B.J. Finney to let him leave. Finney has been biding his time and played very well when inserted in the starting lineup.
What would we do?
Pay the man. The offensive line is the one constant on this team over the past five seasons and Foster is a huge part of why this is the one unit the team can count on most weeks. Is it going to be expensive? Of course, it will be. But Foster hasn’t been paid what he is worth to this team yet during his career. If the Steelers are looking to return to a team focused on winning first, it’s a no brainer to bring Foster back.
