Pittsburgh Steelers: 4 players that could be gone by free agency

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Seth Roberts #10 of the Oakland Raiders catches a 39-yard pass over Morgan Burnett #42 and Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Seth Roberts #10 of the Oakland Raiders catches a 39-yard pass over Morgan Burnett #42 and Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 09: Seth Roberts #10 of the Oakland Raiders catches a 39-yard pass over Morgan Burnett #42 and Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 09: Seth Roberts #10 of the Oakland Raiders catches a 39-yard pass over Morgan Burnett #42 and Terrell Edmunds #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Morgan Burnett

Morgan Burnett has asked to be released and his wish will be granted before the market opens. The veteran safety couldn’t stay healthy in his first season with the Steelers and told media he wants to move on because he’s looking to play more of a traditional safety role.

That’s fine. The Steelers trust Terrell Edmunds and even if they don’t want the second-year player starting yet, they could hit free agency and try to bring in another veteran.

Burnett didn’t cost much money and he played to the value of his contract. Pittsburgh needs to live and learn from their mistake and search for a playmaker at the position. Making a splash at safety could be the difference in this defense next season, and should be high on the team’s to-do list.

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