The Pittsburgh Steelers ended up getting lucky when they signed undrafted free agent Ramon Foster after the 2009 NFL Draft. Foster had been graded as a sixth to seventh-round prospect, but wasn’t selected, which came as a disappointment. Still, he remained confident in his future, knowing what he had accomplished during his college career at Tennessee and believing he had what it took to earn a spot in the league.
After the draft, Foster had to make a quick decision on where to sign as an undrafted free agent. Multiple teams were interested, and at first, the choice wasn’t an easy one. However, after discussing his options with his agent, the Steelers emerged as the clear and obvious fit. Their history of developing linemen and giving undrafted players a real shot at making the roster helped seal the deal.
Speaking on the Full Disclosure+ podcast with Jimmy Hyams, Foster detailed how close he came to signing with the Cleveland Browns instead. He seriously considered the opportunity and admitted it was one of the teams in the mix before ultimately choosing Pittsburgh. In hindsight, it turned out to be the right move, as Foster carved out an impressive 11-year career with the Steelers and became a key piece of their offensive line.
"It was very simple," Foster said. "My agent at the time came to me, and the teams I was serious about were the Jets, the Browns, and the Steelers. The Jets offered me the most money at the time. It was like $16,000. Pittsburgh said they were making me a priority free agent at $8,000, and the Browns offered me $2,500."
The Steelers got lucky, because the New York Jets actually offered Foster double what Pittsburgh was willing to pay. However, the higher taxes in New York made the offer less appealing, and Foster ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it. Despite the financial incentive, he walked away from the Jets' deal knowing it wasn’t the right fit for him.
According to what Foster told Hyams, the team that seemed to want him the most was the Browns. They made a strong push to bring him in, but their offer of just $2,500 wasn’t enough to convince him to sign. For a player trying to make a smart long-term decision, the deal fell short of what he needed to feel secure starting his NFL journey in Cleveland.
"I couldn’t do the Browns thing because I just had a kid with my wife," Foster said. "We just had a kid, and that didn’t make sense, but Cleveland recruited me the hardest in that era. They were calling me all the time. I thought about New York, but I thought about the taxes. Tim said that Pittsburgh is the land of opportunity, and the rest is history."
In the end, Foster chose to sign with the Steelers because he saw a real opportunity to grow and succeed in Pittsburgh. It was a decision that paid off in a big way, as he went on to spend 11 seasons with the team, becoming a steady and respected presence on the offensive line.
Foster started 145 of the 160 games he was active for during his career. That is an impressive accomplishment for an undrafted free agent.
Steelers Looking To Strike Gold Again With Undrafted Free Agents
The coolest part about the NFL Draft is that sometimes a player goes undrafted and builds a chip on their shoulder. The Steelers have had plenty of success finding hidden gems late in the draft or in the undrafted free agent market after the draft.
Foster is an example of striking gold in the undrafted free agent market. He went on to make the most of his opportunity, and looking back now, he is surely glad he chose to sign with the Steelers and not the Browns.
