3 pending free agents Steelers must pay attention to in the playoffs

The Steelers need offensive line help and it could start with a versatile lineman in Chicago.

Germain Ifedi is a player Steelers fans must watch in the playoff if they get a chance to see the Bears this postseason. He played a lot of this season as the right guard after switching back and forth multiple times between guard and tackle in both Seattle and now Chicago. #74 is showing why he was a first-round pick in 2016 as he is finally turning the corner on his development after switching back to right tackle in December. He is doing so at the right time as well.

The Steelers are going to desperately be in need of help on the offensive line going into 2021 and a player flying under the radar, due to a bad position change at the start of his career, is the kind of guy they could make a steal out of. The Bears are the only team in the league that is really seeing what he has at that position on an everyday basis with such limited tape, but I believe he would help Pittsburgh’s line tremendously.

It is no secret that the Steelers are probably going to shift Zach Banner over to the left tackle spot unless they pick a tackle in the first round of the draft. While I like Chuks in pass protection I don’t see enough in terms of run-blocking to trust him as the starter in 2021. I think they could commit a long term deal to Ifedi now, while his market is relatively low in hopes of relegating Chuks back to a backup role.

At the same time, they would be improving the ability to move the line of scrimmage in the run game. I think Chuks is versatile enough in pass protection to backup both Zach Banner at left tackle and Ifedi at right tackle if injuries happened. While the interior depth still needs help, I really believe there are options to cover that as well. If Ifedi impresses in this postseason regardless of the Bears’ chances to make a run, I believe he is definitely a guy Pittsburgh should talk to.