Steelers Should Give Santonio Holmes a Final Stint in Pittsburgh

Another year of free agency has come and gone, and the Pittsburgh Steelers still are who we thought they were. Last year’s splurge notwithstanding, 2015 was a return to the usual for the Steelers – a franchise traditionally content to sit idly by as big money ballers take their talents elsewhere.

But one name has remained intriguingly linked to the Black and Gold for longer than just this offseason: Santonio Holmes. The last time Holmes was seen in Pittsburgh’s colours, he was making one of the greatest Super Bowl receptions of all time, sealing a victory over the Arizona Cardinals and bringing an unprecedented sixth Lombardi trophy back to the ‘Burgh.

And while the Steelers have remained expectedly quiet on the subject, there is no such stoicity from Holmes, who claims to have “enjoyed the organisation, the players, the camaraderie, the teammates and the fans”, and that he “would love nothing else but to finish [his] career with the Steelers, but the opportunity has to come from the man upstairs and the Rooneys.”

Of course, Holmes also declared, “It baffles me a little to know I’m not part of an organization,” and therein lies the problem with the veteran wideout. He hasn’t exactly been known as the most humble man to don the helmet and pads, but that’s just how wide receivers are, right? Still, it’s a bit of a stretch for a man whose last season of relevance was 2011.

The Steelers franchise, of course, owes Holmes nothing, but the team could still make use of Santonio’s skills this season. And, perhaps more importantly, a return to his favourite team should instill some humility in the outspoken Holmes, unless he plans on ending up jobless by week 8.

The team’s depth chart at wide receiver stands thusly: Antonio Brown as the unquestioned number one, a training camp battle between Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton; the winner standing opposite Brown on Sundays and the loser occupying the slot, and then…nobody.

Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey have already been given their marching orders to open 2015, and the team needs a reliable depth player with just enough ability to be deemed a threat each time he takes the field. Holmes claims to be “in shape” after what he called his “two years off”, as well as “stronger” and “mentally prepared.”

If true, the Steelers could find value in a number-four man to serve as an outlet for Ben Roethlisberger on short- and medium-distance plays.

With Ben under center, Holmes will be most likely watching from the sidelines, but out of the shotgun, Holmes could play receiver, decoy or even blocker on just about any passing play.

Consider as well that running back renaissance man Le’Veon Bell is typically the wildcard fifth receiver thrown into these empty-back sets, and the Steelers may just find in Holmes that extra bit of versatility to reaffirm their status as the NFL’s best offense en route to their stairway to seven.