Ranking Steelers biggest offseason losses so far in 2021

The Steelers are sure to lose more players to opposing teams this offseason, but here are their biggest free-agent losses so far. 

This hasn’t exactly been a dream-scenario offseason for Steelers fans so far. While the team was surprisingly able to retain wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, it didn’t come without a cost. Cornerback Steven Nelson was essentially released to clear cap space for JuJu and Pittsburgh’s rookie draft class that will be signed later in the offseason.

With very little money to work with due to the pandemic, the Steelers were forced to let a handful of talented football players hit the road this offseason, and they have done little in the way to replace them to this point. Pittsburgh can still be a competitive team in 2021, but losing some quality football players is going to hurt. Here are the four biggest offseason losses for the Steelers in 2021:

4. Matt Feiler

Let’s be real: Steelers fans didn’t exactly consider Matt Feiler to be a cornerstone player for this football team, but that doesn’t mean his absence is going to go unnoticed. After a noteworthy season in 2019 in which Feiler graded out as the team’s best offensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, he came back down to earth with a so-so performance in 2020.

Despite his lackluster play, most would agree that Feiler is still a quality football player, and his versatility to play both guard and offensive tackle is highly coveted. The Steelers signed B.J. Finney this offseason – a player who can step in at guard or center – but he certainly can’t kick outside if need be. Perhaps the team is able to re-sign Alejandro Villanueva this offseason, but if nothing else, losing Feiler at least hurts Pittsburgh’s depth heading into 2021.