The Steelers need to consider cutting bait with these players that have stuck around for too long.
There have been some faces that might have been around the Steelers organization for a little too long. Mike Tomlin and others have had their “guys” over the years, and some currently sit on the roster. It is a new era for this franchise and now it’s time to cut bait with some players that should see their roles fade.
With new management and some extra additions in the coaching department, there should be some different movement done. New visions will be deployed in this club and that should also bring new blood and ideas into the fold. Other younger players should also see their roles on this roster get bigger in 2022.
With others getting better opportunities on this team, that will spell disaster for others. It is going to be a competitive training camp for these players as they try to stick after the final cuts. Work is still ahead but these players need to be let go as they have stuck around too long and have not shown much improvement.
Marcus Allen should be on the way out the door
Marcus Allen is a former fifth-round selection by the Steelers in 2018. He came out of Penn State as a safety but transitioned to a hybrid linebacker during his time in the NFL. He has found a spot on this team as a hybrid-type player who mostly plays special teams.
He has not been able to give enough to the coaches to find a starting role on the defense. He has been in the league for too long not to find something to provide at a starting spot. He is running out of time and there are a bunch of other linebackers on this club that will challenge for his depth role.
Derek Watt is running out of room to make the Steelers roster
Derek Watt is going to be a name to monitor closely throughout the pre-season. When you glance at the team closely, it seems like the Steelers will see this fullback as someone that could become a release candidate during final cuts. He does not provide much to this team besides on special teams.
He is the brother of superstar linebacker, T.J. Watt. That could have been one of the reasons that Pittsburgh brought him here in the first place. Perhaps their superstar was starting to get homesick, the remedy could have been bringing in his brother to cure that sickness.
Unfortunately for all parties involved, this signing did not go to plan. Watt has been nothing more than an overpriced luxury that this team is struggling to find a reason to pay. He is a great contributor on special teams, but he has continuously struggled to find a role on offense.
There really is not a role for him and the coaches refuse to give him a spot. Now the addition of Connor Heyward, who plays many positions including full back, could put this player’s future with the black and gold in jeopardy. Getting a younger player that is much cheaper and can play his position, plus tight end and some running back could spell disaster for Watt come final cuts.
Mason Rudolph will compete for his job to make the final roster
Mason Rudolph is a player that many people would have been shocked to see on this list if it were compiled just a couple of months ago. Most even thought he had a solid shot at fighting for the starting gig before the draft. Now he finds himself in a crowded quarterback room with two rookies that have hope to make the final roster.
Kenny Pickett is the future, but Chris Oladokun could sneak onto the roster if he shows enough in training camp, but that is not likely. One scenario that is probably to occur is that both Pickett and Mitch Trubisky are listed as the top two quarterbacks on the depth chart and push Rudolph to the third guy. That could create an issue and cause this veteran to ask for a release or trade.
He could always ask for that and the Steelers would be foolish not to see what kind of trade market would be out there. Many might question why another team would trade for a player like this, but Pittsburgh has traded away Josh Dobbs before for a late-round pick. It is a possible move that could happen if the rookie out of South Dakota State shows enough.
Another scenario that could play out with Rudolph being traded away right before the final cuts, would be keeping Oladokun on the first iteration of the final roster. Then after the other cuts come rolling in, claim another veteran option to join the roster after. One might wonder in this scenario if Dobbs were available if the club would bring him back as their third option.
Benny Snell should not make the Steelers club after many disappointing seasons
Benny Snell Jr. is running out of time with this franchise. He has been with the club for a handful of seasons now but has not been able to get anything rolling with his career. This is a make-or-break season for him, and failure might mean that his NFL career could be ending a lot sooner than he might have anticipated.
He seems like a second back behind Najee Harris now, but he barely played at all in 2021. Harris took the bulk of the carries as no back behind him showed enough to garner enough playing time. The good news is that the team refused to add to this position in the offseason, but the bad news is Snell is in a losing spot.
The competition behind him does not have a high pedigree when compared to others around the league. He will fight a struggling veteran in Anthony McFarland Jr. and a couple of other undrafted free agents for two available spots on this roster. That does not sound too intimidating, but he could lose his spot.
There are some highly productive backs coming out of college that the Steelers signed. They bring some different qualities, while others bring the same type of game that Snell does. The team could always keep the player they know but keeping the undrafted player could always happen since they are younger and could develop their game some.
Robert Spillane has stayed with the Steelers for too long
Robert Spillane is a player that looked to be in good shape with this franchise just a couple of seasons ago. He played well after Devin Bush was lost to a knee injury, unfortunately, he has not been the same since. He is mostly a run-stuffing linebacker that does not produce much other than in run support and tackling.
He is a liability in coverage and that is a problem in today’s NFL. The coaches love this player, but they do not use him properly. They like to keep him in coverage against shifty players despite him struggling to keep close in those instances.
With Myles Jack entering the fold, this player will be going down the depth chart. He will need to earn his spot on the roster, but it does not seem to be in question now. Most of his issues getting onto the roster will be based on the emergence of younger talents on the team.
Buddy Johnson needs to show during the pre-season that he can take a step forward in his second year. He needs to find playing time on defense instead of just suiting up on special teams. Speaking of the third phase of football, that could be another reason Spillane sticks around even though he can be easily replaced.
The Steelers have kept these players for a little too long. There should be some notable names that could be rumored to be released when the final cuts come rolling in.