Report: Steelers sign ILB Mark Barron to two-year, $12M contract

Mar 2019

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to be big players in the free agent period.

Just when you thought the Pittsburgh Steelers were done with bringing in free agents, think again.

On Sunday afternoon ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Steelers had come to terms on a new two-year contract worth roughly $12 million dollars in total.

Former Rams’ LB Mark Barron reached agreement on a two-year, $12 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per source. A rare free-agent foray for Pittsburgh.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2019

The move helps bolster the position for the Steelers, but Barron is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons, per ProFootball Focus:

Barron has played 750+ snaps each of the last four seasons for the Rams. He is coming off the worst overall grade of his career in 2018 (54.0).

Overall grades by season:
2012: 55.3
2013: 60.1
2014: 56.8
2015: 67.0
2016: 65.0
2017: 61.8
2018: 54.0 https://t.co/AebYr81XJX

— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) March 17, 2019

Barron, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, played for the Rams the past four seasons. Last year Barron played, and started, in 12 games registering 60 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defense, and 3 tackles for losses.

It is unclear how the Steelers will plan to afford Barron’s salary, but it is safe to say Barron represents the same insurance policy L.J. Fort provided the past few years before he left to the Philadelphia Eagles via free agency.

Barron is an expensive backup, but don’t expect this signing to change the Steelers’ strategy heading into the 2019 NFL Draft. They absolutely need to add some new blood at the position, and it will be a huge target for Pittsburgh this offseason.

However, with Barron under contract the Steelers could leave themselves open to enter the draft looking to take the best player available at any number of positions.

For those of you who are keeping close tabs on the free agent/compensatory pick formula, Barron does not count against the Steelers since he was released and wasn’t a free agent.

Barron doesn’t count against comp pick formula since he was released by the Rams. Addition of Moncrief/Nelson and departures of James/Fort might cancel each other out, but stage is set for Bell’s NYJ deal to earn third-round pick.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 17, 2019

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding this signing as they are released…

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