Joe Haden was released by the Cleveland Browns this morning. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers are favorites to sign the two time Pro Bowl cornerback.
Here's the team to watch on CB Joe Haden, as @JosinaAnderson noted, once he's officially released at 4 pm today: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2017
Steelers are the favorite to land former Browns CB Joe Haden.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2017
Pittsburgh Steelers Emerge as Favorites to Sign Joe Haden
The Steelers secondary has struggled over the past few seasons and things haven’t looked much better this preseason. Fans have been especially critical of Ross Cockrell on social media, referring to him as “burnt toast.” When Haden was declared available for trade offers, Steelers fans were hopeful that the team might pursue him, but his expensive contract was a problem. Haden was set to make $11 million in 2017 and $10.4 million over the next two years.
However, when the Browns decided to cut Haden after they weren’t able to make a trade, the Steelers emerged as the favorites to land him. As a free agent, Haden is able to sign with any team that he chooses. He won’t be offered the same amount of money that he was set to make in Cleveland, but he should still get some nice offers.
Haden has played in 90 games and started 81 games over his seven year career. He’s recorded 19 interceptions and one touchdown. Last year, he had three interceptions in 13 games. He did have his second lowest tackles total last year though with only 37.
Ross Cockrell didn’t have any interceptions last season and veteran William Gay only had one. Gay also only recorded 42 tackles and Cockrell had just 47. Free agent acquisition Coty Sensabaugh only started two games last season and was cut by the Los Angeles Rams not long after they signed him to a $15 million contract. He was then signed by the New York Giants and released at the end of the year. Cockrell, Gay and Sensabaugh have all struggled this preseason, and none of them seem worthy of a starting position.
Second-year cornerback Artie Burns has shown a lot of potential and will likely once again be the Steelers number one cornerback. Having Haden play alongside the developing Burns would help him grow tremendously.
Time will tell if the Steelers decide to upgrade their secondary with the addition of Haden.
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