3 Steelers who can’t be brought back in 2022 for the rebuild

Steelers can’t bring back Alualu

One of the most missed Steeler’s defenders this season has been Tyson Alualu. The team hasn’t been able to stop the run since he got injured, and as a result, the defense as a whole has suffered. He is under contract for another season after this one and based on his play it would seem like a no-brainer to bring him back.

At his age though, there is little chance that he plays past next season (assuming he decides to play at all). This means that the team will be paying Alualu more than the minimum to take snaps from the younger players in a year when the team won’t compete. There is no point in this for the long-term success of this team. Instead, seeing what the team actually has at nose tackle would be far more beneficial.

The team could also feasibly add a noses tackle in the draft or through free agency as well. That way, this player will have a season to get used to the defense and be ready to start at a higher level in a year the team could feasibly compete. No matter what, the team can save some cap space and move on from Alualu next season. It would hurt the team in the short term but would set them up for more long-term success.