Much like the player himself, the Steelers' first signing of the free agency period isn't flashy. But the team will bring back running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, who had become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday.
Toussaint had been a restricted free agent, but the team chose not to offer him a tender, allowing him to become unrestricted. A tender offer to Toussaint, 27, would have cost the team $1.9 million. Instead, he will earn the veteran minimum of $790,000 if he makes the roster on the one-year deal.
In four seasons, Toussaint has 44 carries for 137 yards and eight receptions for 69 yards. He also has 29 postseason rushing attempts -- all in 2015 subbing for injured Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams -- gaining 97 yards and one touchdown while also catching seven passes for 62 yards. But he also lost a fumble in a playoff game at Denver that helped keep Pittsburgh from upsetting the Broncos, who would go on to win the Super Bowl.
Toussaint opened last season on the Steelers' practice squad but eventually replaced Terrell Watson on the active roster.
In other news, because of a proven performance escalator in his contract, Martavis Bryant's salary will jump from $705,000 to $1.9 million in 2018. That leaves the Steelers $6.5 million under the salary cap according to an NFLPA report issued today. Only five other teams -- San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Washington -- have less cap space.
