Eight free agents Steelers could target to help Ben Roethlisberger manage tight salary cap in 2021
Eight free agents Steelers could target to help Ben Roethlisberger manage tight salary cap in 2021
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The made arguably the biggest decision of their 2021 season this week, for an 18th season and all but promising a restructure of the quarterback's contract to ensure compliance with a reduced salary cap. The re-commitment to Big Ben entering the QB's age-39 season, which follows weeks of speculation and ambiguous team statements regarding the longtime signal-caller's future, says one thing above all: The Steelers are still determined to be contenders in 2021. There's no other logical explanation for retaining a costly, aging quarterback with a tight cap.Is it the smart thing to do? Retaining Roethlisberger for one last win-now push? Not nece sarily. George Mikan Jersey But by choosing this path rather than swallowing the hard pill of an inevitable future reset, the Steelers have given themselves basically no other choice: they have to build around Ben. If this is the last hurrah, reinforcements are in order.Enter the tight finances. The Steelers are well on their way to getting under the projected 2021 cap thanks to . But unle s they make some serious sacrifices, like letting Pro Bowl left tackle walk in free agency and cutting key veterans like and , they're not going to have room to spend big on the open market. That means no splashy play-maker like or grade-A workhorse like . And that's not even accounting for their own top free agents like wide receiver and running back , who were once considered offensive centerpieces but are now widely expected to find new homes.With that in mind, where can Pittsburgh turn to help Roethlisberger in 2021 without breaking the bank? Here are some potential low-risk, high-reward free agents that could -- and should -- be on the Steelers' radar: ARI RB #37 Att4Yds26TD0FL0 Age: 25Projected AAV: $2-5 millionThe former fourth-rounder has never played a full season and mi sed all but one game in 2020 due to injury, so chances are he'll be available as a one-year flyer. Pittsburgh would probably prefer a more durable back after James Conner's perpetual bruising, but even 12-14 games of a healthy Mack would be an upgrade here. The ex-Colts starter has been a play-maker when on the field. NO RB #5 Att72Yds299TD2FL0 Age: 31Projected AAV: $1-4 millionIngram is no workhorse at this stage of his career, as evidenced by Baltimore gradually phasing him out of the rotation in late 2020. But is there a better short-term rental for a contender at running back? The guy is a beloved teammate who'd have no trouble sharing carries with and whomever else Pittsburgh trots out of the backfield, and he's always given top-notch effort. NYG RB #31 Att59Yds254TD0FL1 Age: 26Projected AAV: $2-5 millionAt one point one of the ' most promising ball-carriers (1,075 scrimmage yards in 2018), he's been more of an afterthought the last two years, falling Avery Bradley Jersey on San Francisco's depth chart during the club's Super Bowl run and then failing to pop with Miami during a COVID-affected 2020. Still, he's young and has tons of speed, making him a worthy change-of-pace option. DAL WR #13 TAR93REC56REC YDs762REC TD5FL0 Age: 31Projected AAV: $8-10 millionHilton isn't exactly a "cheap" free agent, considering he'll likely command starter's money, but compared to the $15-18 million per year that JuJu Smith-Schuster could haul in, you might view him as a bargain. Injuries have taken their toll on the former RB1, who's no longer an elite speedster, but with experience in the slot and juice still in the tank, he'd be a rock-solid plug-and-play vet. ARI WR #11 TAR72REC54REC YDs409REC TD1FL0 Age: 38Projected AAV: $7-10 millionThere's a far better chance Fitzgerald re-signs with Arizona or simply hangs up the cleats. He's said before he'll only play for the . But if ever there were one city to lure him elsewhere, it'd have to be Pittsburgh, where he played his college ball. What a natural one-year experiment this would be, plugging him into JuJu's slot role and giving him a chance to go out with a contender. NE WR #84 TAR74REC49REC YDs667REC TD2FL0 Age: 26Projected AAV: $5-9 millionIf the Steelers are looking to fill the slot, which seems plausible considering the payday Smith-Schuster can find elsewhere, Bourne would make for a short- and potentially long-term gamble. He's never posted gaudy numbers in San Francisco, but he had a career-high snap count in 2020 and delivered, serving as a reliable mid-range target. HOU WR #86 TAR69REC46REC YDs602REC TD0FL0 Age: 35Projected AAV: $3-6 millionYou don't typically want to be in the busine s of signing 35-year-old slot receivers, but the Steelers will -- or should -- be looking for any instant help out wide, especially if JuJu walks. Amendola, of course, is best known for working the middle, Dwight Howard Jersey where he's often been reliable more than elusive. It's not hard to imagine a safety valve like him quickly earning Roethlisberger's trust. SF WR #83 TAR48REC33REC YDs432REC TD3FL0 Age: 28Projected AAV: $5-8 millionMuch like Amendola, Snead has been more steady than spectacular, but that counts for a lot at the slot position -- especially if the Steelers run anything close to the offense they did in 2020, when Roethlisberger dinked and dunked his way down the field. Whether new coordinator Matt copyright opens up the pa sing game or limits Ben's attempts, Snead would be an efficient short-area target.
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