The Pittsburgh Steelers need to retool their roster in an effort to compete in 2022. Here are the four easiest decisions they could make this offseason.
There’s much more that goes on in an NFL front office than what meets the eye. Kevin Colbert and his crew have loads of responsibility when it comes to the NFL Draft, free agency, and how to distribute their salary cap money.
Fortunately, not every decision has to be a thinker. While the Pittsburgh Steelers have some crucial decisions ahead of them in what could prove to be the most important offseason since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007, some decisions are rather easy. Here are four no-brainer decisions Steelers should make during the 2022 offseason.
Steelers should cut Joe Schobert
You’ll never be able to hunt for a good enough reason for Joe Schobert to stick around with the money he’s expected to make in 2022. While he wasn’t the worst linebacker on the team this past season, he probably should be considered below-average when compared to NFL starters across the league.
Though Schobert is certainly worth a roster spot, he would cost this team a whopping $9.7 million against the cap if he’s still on the roster in 2022. The alternative is cutting a very average linebacker to save $7.8 million in salary-cap space. I would be floored if Pittsburgh did anything other than this.
Joe Schobert will probably land back on his feet on a team who is willing to give the former Pro Bowler another chance, but it won’t (and shouldn’t) be in Pittsburgh. Colbert could use this savings to invest in a better linebacker in free agency if they elect to go that route.
Steelers should re-sign Minkah Fitzpatrick
Talk about a no-brainer. As if the Steelers have any other choice. Believe it or not, I’ve heard fans make the case not to re-sign Minkah Fitzpatrick. While the former All-Pro safety didn’t quite play up to the same level of splash plays he made this past season compared to 2020, he was much better than many analysts give him credit for — particularly in the second half of the season.
Fitzpatrick proved to be a consistent tackler this past year as the last line of defense while also managing some game-saving pass deflections late in the fourth quarter. Minkah has one more year under contract, but players with his reputation rarely wait until their contract is expired to get their extensions.
This is a trend the Steelers broke for T.J. Watt this past season, as he eventually got his new deal late in training camp. They need to be willing to do the same for Fitzpatrick — a player that should have a long, successful career with this team.
For those who argue not to pay him, what’s the alternative? Let him walk after next season and try to get a compensatory third-round pick for him? Minkah Fitzpatrick has earned himself a new deal, and it should be an easy decision for the Steelers to oblige.
Steelers should cut Zach Banner
The first two decisions couldn’t be easier for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I would be surprised if either didn’t happen this offseason. This decision might be a bit more challenging for some, but I don’t believe the Steelers should hesitate to cut OT Zach Banner.
After signing a big two-year deal, fans were optimistic that Banner was going to be the next good developmental tackle for this team. However, even after getting a clean bill of health early in the 2021 season after the ACL tear, he suffered in Week 1 of 2020, Banner rarely touched the field.
According to Pro Football Reference, Banner had a measly 5 offensive snaps for the entire season and just 27 special teams snaps on the year. Despite players going down with injuries all over the offensive line, the Steelers never turned to Banner. Even in the final game of the regular season, the Steelers plugged in Joe Haeg when Dan Moore went down, and it ultimately cost them a fifth-round compensatory pick to play him.
The fact of the matter is that Banner just isn’t very good. He has two career starts by the age of 28 and he’s not even a good scheme fit for their offensive line. The Steelers can instantly save $5 million by cutting him this offseason, and that’s exactly what they should do.
Steelers should sign an established offensive lineman
One thing I think we can all agree the Steelers will do is sign an established offensive lineman this year. Outside of maybe just Dan Moore and Kevin Dotson, nobody’s job on the team is secure, and they could use just about every position across the line.
Bringing in an established, experienced veteran could give their OL an immediate boost in 2022. One potential free-agent candidate I would love is Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle, Orlando Brown. The mammoth offensive lineman has now played in two very different offenses with the Ravens and the Chiefs and has proved to be a very good player for both teams. He’s also still just 25 years old.
If the Steelers aren’t willing to spend elite money on one player in free agency, then I would expect them to sign at least one quality plug-and-play starter they can depend on for the near future.
Pittsburgh can easily get up to $45 million in salary-cap space just by cutting Schobert and Banner this offseason. That’s a lot of money to work with, and I would be shocked if they didn’t invest a good portion of it into their offensive line.
The Steelers have a lot of tough decisions to make early in the 2022 offseason, but these four decisions should be made as soon as possible. All four are easy calls to make.