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Our NCAA-style tournament of Steelers greatest front office moves
Welcome back to Steelers March Madness ‘25. We started with the 64 greatest front office moves in Pittsburgh Steelers history. They’re facing off, NCAA-style, until we crown a champion. If you haven’t yet, go back and vote on DAY 1 and DAY 2.
CHIPPED HAM BRACKET
1 seed: April 5, 2002 – Signed free agent linebacker James Farrior
(Signed a three-year, $5.4 million deal)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Farrior was the 8th overall pick in the 1997 draft, but the Jets used him as an outside linebacker. New York was not interested in extending him after his rookie contract, despite putting up career numbers in 2001. Farrior says he received no other offers besides Pittsburgh. He went on to start 154 games at inside linebacker.
VS
4 seed: August 20, 1970 – Traded for defensive end Dwight White’s pick
(traded Roy Jefferson to Baltimore for Willie Richardson and 1971 4th round pick (Dwight White).
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Before the 1970 season, Roy Jefferson was the best player in Pittsburgh, but he was a vocal critic of head coach Chuck Noll, so the Steelers went shopping. Trading the team’s star was controversial at the time, but all would eventually be forgiven when the fourth-round pick that Pittsburgh received in the trade turned into future Hall of Honor defensive end Dwight White.
2 seed: March 8, 2001 – Signed free agent center Jeff Hartings
(signed a six-year, $24.2 million deal)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Former general manager Kevin Colbert was with Detroit when the Lions drafted Hartings. Although Hartings played guard in the NFL, Colbert knew he could play center, and replace the retiring Dermotti Dawson. Hartings went on to make two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team during his 89 starts in Pittsburgh.
VS
3 seed: August 30, 2017 – Signed free agent cornerback Joe Haden
(signed a three-year, $27 million deal)
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Haden was a two-time Pro Bowler in Cleveland. But the Browns were looking to trade him after he reportedly became the worst-looking defensive back in their camp. Instead, Cleveland released him. Within hours, Pittsburgh scooped him up and he became the Steelers’ starter for the next 68 games.
We wrap up the Sweet 16 tomorrow with the Banana Split bracket. Vote early and often!