Pittsburgh Steelers sign DE Anthony Goodlow

Anthony Goodlow's signing earns a B- Contract Value Index (CVI), a solid mid-tier evaluation that reflects disciplined financial management on a low-cost depth addition. At $1.005M on a one-year deal, this is unambiguously a replacement-level contract—the kind of prove-it agreement that carries minimal cap risk and zero guaranteed money implications for a Steelers roster sitting at 10-7 and holding the fourth AFC seed heading into the regular season. The CVI grade suggests the value proposition is clean: you're paying veteran minimum rates for a defensive end on an audition basis, which means the front office has correctly priced the transaction without overpaying for roster depth. Goodlow's earning power on the open market remains constrained by his production tier and age curve, making this the logical landing spot for both sides during the preseason phase. The B- signals no surplus value here, but no misallocation either—this is exactly the kind of low-ceiling, low-risk depth signing that playoff teams use to fill out their defensive line rotation without handicapping future flexibility. If Goodlow proves productive in camp, the Steelers have a cheap retention option; if he doesn't, the sunk cost is negligible and they move on. In a preseason window where every roster dollar counts, this transaction reflects competent cap stewardship.