The wait is almost over. The 2024 league year is almost upon us, and in just days there will be new members of the Pittsburgh Steelers to discuss and break down. While the Steelers, or any other NFL team, can’t officially sign outside  unrestricted free agents until 4 PM on Wednesday, they can come top an agreement with these players starting at noon on Monday. Additionally, as most fans realize by now, street free agents (players released by their former teams) can be signed at any time. So while there is some action happening now, the frenzy is about to begin.

As free agency ramps up, so will the emotional overreactions to various reports. For those who have a tendency to fly off the handle in regards to these reports, on either end of the spectrum, here are 3 reminders about the free agency period that may help keep things from progressing too far.

Not every visit leads to a signing

Sometimes more common with street free agents ahead of the new league year, players go on visits to different NFL teams to see where could be the best place for them to sign. With a lot of these players, they go on multiple visits to a number of different teams. Because of this, they obviously can’t sign with each one where they visit.

When reports come about a player visiting a certain team, while it is important to realize that they are on each other’s radars from both the player and the team, it doesn’t mean that things are set in stone. Whether it’s an overreaction that the player is coming or disappointment that they are meeting somewhere else, nothing is definite until an agreement is in place. So take this information for what it’s worth as a potential move if things work out. But flying off the handle because a player met with the Steelers is a classic example of an overreaction.

Not every signed free agent is expected to start

During the free agent frenzy that is about to begin in the NFL, every player that the Steelers sign is not meant to be their next superstar. In fact, players are signed all the time that aren’t even expected to start. In 2023, I found it interesting that both Nate Herbig and Isaac Seumalo were replacements for Kevin Dotson which simply isn’t possible. Because the Steelers signed the two guards, some jumped to the conclusion that James Daniels was on his way out. That’s not how it works.

Obviously the Steelers have to add more quarterbacks to the roster. When the Steelers do sign a quarterback, it does not mean that they are “Kenny Pickett’s replacement.” Every year I see that a low-key signing is deemed a replacement for an entrenched starter when it simply isn’t the case. If the Steelers sign a wide receiver who had six catches last season and played more than 200 special team snaps, they simply are not the replacement for Diontae Johnson and an indication that he’s being shipped out of town. The Steelers can sign free agents who aren’t meant to replace starters but simply to upgrade their depth.

Not every free agent works out

With the number of players coming to the Steelers through free agency seeming to increase over time, it just goes to show that long-term averages are more likely to be applied each season. While there is the opportunity for a new free agent to come in and overachieve what they did at their previous stop, much like a James Farrior, there is also the potential that things completely fall apart, much like with Donte Moncrief.

While it is exciting to gain new players, sometimes tempering expectations as a player finds their way in a new market is the best way to go. If every free agent is expected to be one general manager Omar Khan knocks out of the park, the Steelers are either going to be unstoppable due to the amount of talent they added or fans are going to be disappointed. It’s typically better to be “cautiously optimistic“ with all the Steelers free agent signings, that way the successes are much more appreciated and the disappointments are not nearly as devastating.

Obviously the contract for a player is a big indication of what to expect, but don’t get too hung up on the numbers as the only indicator of potential success. Whether it’s a “team-friendly deal” or a “classic overpay,” the Steelers have moved on from players who just didn’t work out in both cases.

So there are some important reminders when it comes to NFL free agency. Hopefully remembering these things has kept your possessions safe from destruction as well as your bank account sufficient by not booking a flight to the Super Bowl in February.