Between now and the start of the new league year in March, TGS is providing brief summaries looking ahead at the offseason from the perspective of each NFL team. In this edition, we look at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2016 record: 11-5 — 1st place, AFC North
What’s new? Ben Roethlisberger seems pissed, Le’Veon Bell doesn’t have a contract and Antonio Brown is suddenly a potential problem.
Projected salary cap space: $37 million — Middle of the pack.
Key in-house free agents: Bell, pass-rushers James Harrison and Jarvis Jones, linebacker Lawrence Timmons.
Nobody notices unless they somehow lose Bell, who will almost certainly be tagged if the two parties don’t come to terms soon. Harrison is ageless but has to be replaced soon anyway. Timmons is showing his age and should be replaced now anyway. Both would probably return for cheap, though. They should try to bring back Jones, who showed flashes in 2016 and could help absorb the eventual loss of Harrison.
Key needs: The entire defense needs to be upgraded, particularly in the secondary and on the edge. They could also use a boost next to Ryan Shazier at inside linebacker, regardless of what happens with Timmons.
Draft breakdown: They hold the 30th overall pick and have one selection per round the rest of the way. Status quo.
Other potential priorities: They have to make sure Roethlisberger is happy and the offense, the staff and the franchise quarterback are on the same page. And if they do decide to keep Brown, he’s entering a contract year. If they don’t, this might be the time to deal him.
Outlook: Some turmoil here but they’ve got money to spend, and unless the feces hits the fan with any of the Killer B’s it’s pretty clear the defense should be the focus.
