The 2021 offseason will determine how the Steelers stay competitive after Ben Roethlisberger retires. It will be full of tough decision-making as cap issues will make signings not as outgoing.
Currently, the Steelers are well over the NFL’s salary cap and it will take some maneuvering to get under that. Even more creative thinking will need to occur so the team can re-sign their pending free agents or sign others in free agency. Maurkice Pouncey and Vance McDonald have retired and that will help the cap situation somewhat. With the addition of the cap being higher than most expected and Ben Roethlisberger’s restructure then this number will begin to wipe away.
Other restructures will occur as the black and gold look to bring players back and add to a team that is coming off winning the AFC North division. This team has many holes to fill with many players likely leaving via free agency due to the cap situation but that does not mean this squad cannot be competitive next season. It will take a great draft with immediate impact players and bargain free agents but it is not out of the realm of possibilities that this team is good next year. It will be Roethlisberger’s farewell season as he gets ready to walk away following this season. It is the last shot for this team before the rebuilding process will likely begin. Rebuilding seems like a big task but that’s a worry for the next offseason.
Players to resign
Tyson Alualu, DL
Alualu is coming off his best season as a pro. He continues to be a great rotational player along this defensive front when Stephon Tuitt and Cam Heyward need to take a breather on the sideline. He should be able to come back on a short-term deal that is relatively team-friendly.
Mike Hilton, CB
Hilton is the best slot corner in the league as he continues to be a swiss-army knife for the defense. It could come down to deciding to keep him or Cam Sutton but that might not be the case. Hilton can blitz, run-stuff, and cover. His amazing ability in all three aspects of the defense makes him so dynamic.
Cam Sutton, CB
Sutton is another interesting free agent for the Steelers. He has shown the ability to have great coverage skills both inside and out. Other teams could come calling and that is when issues of bringing him back could arise. In this offseason scenario, Sutton returns on a one-year deal and gets rewarded next offseason after Joe Haden and Steve Nelson are scheduled to come off the books.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB (renegotiation)
This is one of the major milestones left in the road for the Steelers cap space issues being resolved. Roethlisberger is at the end of his career and he could still retire but it is more likely he comes back for one more year at a reduced amount. The team needs the cap space and their quarterback has already said he doesn’t care about how much money he makes for this season.
Kelvin Beachum, OT
Beachum would be an amazing get for a one-year deal on the cheap. Other teams will likely chase after him and the aging veteran could end up retiring. His experience would lend a great helping hand for a young offensive line group. He could battle for a starting spot in camp, also he has a great relationship with the Steelers new offensive line coach.
BJ Finney, OL
Finney has had a bad time ever since leaving the black and gold last offseason in free agency. He will likely be cut by the Cincinnati Bengals and a return to his childhood team would not be very surprising. He can play center and guard so that would bring back a known player for Pittsburgh and he would help bring depth at two positions.
Jesse James, TE
James is expected to be a cap casualty for the Detroit Lions as he costs too much. If he is released then it would make a lot of sense for the Pittsburgh native to return home on a cheap veteran minimum deal. He would slide in nicely as the second tight end behind Eric Ebron. Since Vance McDonald retired, this has become a major need for the team.
Round 1: TRADE: Steelers receive picks 30 and 61, the Bills receive picks 24 and128.
30. Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Since the Steelers added Kelvin Beachum in free agency, a tackle is not as much of a need as a center. Luckily Pittsburgh was able to trade back and gain some extra picks. Humphrey has done nothing but excel at the position during his college career and he backed it up with a great week at the Senior Bowl. This is a great get for the team as they try to retool on the fly.
55. Javonta Williams, RB, North Carolina
Williams at 55? Yes, please! He is super explosive and carries the size that the black and gold like to add in the run game. He is one of the most all-around running backs in the draft class as he can run and catch out of the backfield. The main test for all of these rookies will be pass-protection at the NFL level.
61. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
In the simulation ran, Eichenberg fell to 61. That might not be likely of happening but it would be an amazing get at 61. He has the size and ability to become a great tackle at the next level as he learned behind someone like Beachum. Pittsburgh would be thrilled to have these top three picks become reality.
87. Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
The addition of Jesse James makes the tight end position a little less of a need but Long would be such an upgrade over Zach Gentry as the third option. James will likely only be back for one season and Ebron will also be gone come next offseason. Getting Long ready to be a potential successor and sprinkling him in would be a great add at this point in the draft.
141. Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech
Sean Davis was a surprise addition early last year and provided great depth. He will be leaving for another potential bid at a starting job so there will be a vacancy. Jordan Dangerfield is a special team’s demon but he is not a starter in this league. Deablo would bring in someone that could play on special teams and develop into a nice player. He could become a starter or play a few games if a starter gets injured.
217. Justin Hilliard, LB, Ohio State
Linebacker could become more of a need-based on how things go. Robert Spillane will be back and Vince Williams should also be returning. If Williams is surprisingly let go then this will become a major need. Either way, this position will need to be addressed at some point in the offseason, and adding Hilliard here brings insurance. He can play physically on special teams and be brought along slowly to potentially go into a starting role down the line.
225. Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville
Fitzpatrick did not have amazing numbers while at Louisville but he just seems like a prospect that will have a better pro career. His college program started getting better during his senior year and that resulted in some decent numbers for him. His size will catch NFL scout’s eyes and he could be a diamond in the rough. With JuJu Smith-Schuster likely leaving via free agency, receivers will need to be brought in to fill out the roster.
244. Malik Herring, EDGE, Georgia
The outside linebacker position will need to be addressed as Bud Dupree will be departing from the Steelers. Alex Highsmith has a ton of upside and will be the starter opposite of TJ Watt. The only question mark will be who the players are behind them. Herring will bring in competition on special teams and at the position in camp.
253. Tommy Kraemer, OG, Notre Dame
Another offensive lineman is brought in for competition and the starting role at left guard. Kevin Dotson will likely be the starter and for good reason but it never hurts to bring in others. Kraemer is a big man that needs work but at this point in the draft, he is a good get to fill out the line.
It will be a tough offseason for the Steelers with many holes to fill and little money to fix those issues. It can happen if they are smart with their ability to attack their problems with cheap outside signings and using the draft to their benefit.