Five things the Pittsburgh Steelers should do this offseason

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackles Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The Steelers need to find a way to keep Bud Dupree

I recently wrote about how the Steelers should trade David Decastro to keep Bud Dupree. There is also a philosophy that the salary cap is fungible that the Steelers can restructure and extend players to fit Dupree into the salary cap.

I think the Steelers have to prioritize Dupree this offseason. He is a prime edge rusher and makes TJ Watt that much better. A lot of the success the Steelers have had this season has been because of the pressure the front four are getting.

It’s hard to say how a lot of restructures and contract extensions will go. The Steelers will have to get some favorable contracts to keep guys. This also probably means that Javon Hargrave is out in Pittsburgh. But the Steelers have to make keeping Bud Dupree a priority.

I would like to see the Steelers finagle the salary cap; so, that they can franchise Bud Dupree. They can then lower the 2020 cap number by signing Dupree to an extension. This may make things difficult, but that’s what Omar Khan is paid to do.

Some players they can restructure are Ben Roethlisberger, Stephon Tuitt, and Steven Nelson. Ben Roethlisberger would be a key one as he has a $30 million-plus cap number. Stephon Tuitt has been injury prone but has been outstanding when on the field. Steven Nelson was arguably the Steeler’s best corner in 2019.