Predicting what happens to Steelers 2021 signings in 2022

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) (Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) (Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Steelers
Chukwuma Okorafor #76, Trai Turner #51 and Kendrick Green #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Steelers Trai Turner

The Steelers were quick to add veteran Trai Turner after David DeCastro was released with an injury after the draft. While he hasn’t been perfect, Turner has had a bit of a career resurgence with the team and has been the best lineman that the team has fielded. He will certainly be getting paid more than three million dollars next season no matter who he is playing for.

My guess is the Steelers would like to have the veteran back, but he will want more money than the Steelers are willing to pay. He likely signs another one-year deal for six or so million in hopes of another solid year to parlay into one last good-sized contract. The team rarely gives out one-year deals unless they have to, so Turner may be out the door.

Even if he is brought back, expect the Steelers to draft an interior lineman early in the 2022 draft. My guess is the team will over him a moderate two-year deal but Turner will test free agency and find a higher paying deal. This will hurt the team on paper, but they will add a cheaper veteran and find their next starting lineman in the draft.

Prediction: Turner leaves in free agency