Next in our Pittsburgh Steelers' free agent watch is cornerback Ike Taylor.
2014 pay: Taylor earned a base salary of $2.75 million after accepting a pay cut of $4.25 million to return to the Steelers.
By the numbers: Taylor recorded 16 tackles in five games and was credited with one pass defended.
The case for keeping him: If anyone deserves the benefit of the doubt it it is Taylor. The 12th-year veteran is the Steelers' best cornerback since Rod Woodson and his work ethic is right up there with outside linebacker James Harrison. The gruesome injury he suffered in the third week -- Taylor broke his forearm in a win over the Carolina Panthers -- would have sidelined a lot of players for the rest of the season. Taylor battled back to return three months after the injury.
The case for letting him walk: Taylor turns 35 in May and it is hard to get past how badly he got beat in giving up long touchdown catches to New Orleans' Kenny Stills and Cincinnati's A.J. Green before the Steelers shut him down for the rest of the season. Taylor has said that the NFL is a “young man's game” so he understands his situation. The Steelers have moved on from iconic players who are past their prime in recent years. And as much as Taylor has meant to the organization, the reality is that time is undefeated -- and is not in danger of losing that distinction anytime soon.
Prediction: It is hard to imagine a scenario in which Taylor returns. The Steelers have to get younger at the position. They also have to see if Cortez Allen can play after he flopped in 2014. Taylor could land in Tennessee where Dick LeBeau is now running the defense. It is likely there or retirement as the Steelers will move forward without Taylor.
