The Steelers' bye week came at the midseason mark for the league, and the team is performing better than expected. The defense has been mostly positive and the offense has found new life with Russell Wilson at quarterback. I’m not quite ready to hand him a new deal just yet, but if his good play continues through the second half the team won’t have a choice.
There are, however, some Steelers who have clearly not earned a new deal through the midseason mark. While they still have time to change this narrative, their current play won’t make them a priority next year. These three Steelers could be playing in their last games in Pittsburgh after the bye week.
Steelers don’t need to sign Van Jefferson
I liked the Van Jefferson move more than most, but he hasn’t really come into his own yet for the team. He was never going to be a dynamic threat, but the hope was for him to emulate his highlights with the Rams and be a serviceable second option. While he has seen his play improve with Wilson at quarterback, it may not be enough.
The Steelers should prioritize finding a competent second receiver next offseason. If Jefferson wants to come back on a minimum deal he should be welcomed back, but he will likely want more money than that. With that in mind, he is a name that the team should be fine with letting walk.
Steelers don’t need to lock up Justin Fields
I was all for giving Justin Fields a new contract earlier this year. The idea was that you could bet on him while his value was lower with the hope of him being the long-term answer at quarterback. He looked good in his play though, enough to elevate his value, but I think a new deal with the Steelers is a tough sell.
The team benched him for Wilson, and it looks like the right move as of now. I can’t see spending 30 million a season on a player you benched. If any quarterback gets a new deal right now, it is Wilson, and there is still a real chance that neither will be here next year. Unless Fields starts again and kills it, I don’t see him sticking around.
Steelers don’t need to sign Najee Harris
Najee Harris has finally had a stretch of successful games, something that we haven’t seen from the first-round running back since college. Despite that, I’m putting his entire Steelers career into perspective, and the contract status that he is likely to earn. All of that considered, I can’t see the team signing him nor needing to bring him back.
For starters, Harris will likely earn a respectable contract next year, yet the team declined the fifth-year option that would have paid him just seven million dollars next year. Signing him to a contract worth a lot more than that is silly. Despite his success, Harris still struggles to produce on his own. The draft is full of good prospects at running backs who could potentially be difference-makers. They should look there before shelling out big money to Harris.