5 Steelers players who could be in final year with the team

Vance McDonald

The Steelers have been missing that security blanket style tight end in their offense since Heath Miller retired. They drafted Jesse James and he was a productive player but the team, for whatever reason, did not seem willing to hand him the number one spot.

After the failed Ladarius Green signing, the Steelers decided to trade for Vance McDonald at the beginning of the 2017 season. McDonald played in just 10 games in his first year in Pittsburgh catching just 14 passes for 188 yards and a score.

He seemed to find a rhythm in 2018 and built chemistry with Big Ben. He hauled in 50 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns.

McDonald seemed to fall off the proverbial cliff in 2019, however. The Steelers had two young quarterbacks throwing passes last season but, McDonald only caught 38 of his 55 targets for 273 yards.

McDonald gave fans a few big plays in 2018 like the stiff arm against Tampa Bay or the many truck stick receptions he had during the year. He lacked those types of plays last year and, in many games seemed to not even be on the field.

His injury history is also a common talking point when discussing his future beyond 2020. The cap charge for his contract in 2021 is just under $7.93 million.

If McDonald wants to make that money with Pittsburgh beyond 2020, he will have to show he can contribute like his 2018 season again. He now has Eric Ebron to compete with for targets and that will not help his cause.