It's Always Something

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the only team in the NFL to have a top five ranking in both total offense and total defense in 2017.  They are a team that has won 45 games over the past four regular seasons but has only reached the conference championship round once over that time period.  

The Steelers made headlines this past postseason as Steelers safety Mike Mitchell predicted that his team would play the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

The Steelers would lose in the divisional round that week to the Jacksonville Jaguars 45-42.  As Steelers fans were left to wonder why something always seems to bite this team at the wrong time.

Running back Le'Veon Bell is arguably the best running back in the NFL.  His abilities as a runner is matched by his prowess in the Steelers passing game.  But Bell is once again facing an offseason in which he may be slapped with the franchise tag for a second consecutive season.  While Bell's production demands a long term deal, his history of questionable decision making off the field makes that a risky proposition.  Bell missed all of training camp in 2017, and is threatening retirement this time around.  Given the Steelers current cap situation, the team will have to get creative to even apply the tag to Bell once again.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has stated publicly that he intends to play several more seasons.  At 36 years old by the start of training camp, Big Ben has been at the controls of one of the league's most prolific offenses.  But a long term replacement should be on the team's radar.

Pittsburgh started their 2018 offseason by replacing offensive coordinator Todd Haley who had consistently put a top 10 offense on the field in terms of yards and points.  Again, it's always something in Pittsburgh that needs to be addressed.

The Steelers will once again be one of Las Vegas' favorites to emerge from the AFC and play for a Super Bowl.  But the team will have to focus on addressing their contractual issues and finding additional help at inside linebacker in order to make that prediction a reality.

Offensive Ranking: 3rd

Defensive Ranking: 5th

Key Free Agents:  

Le'Veon Bell - RB - Set to be a free agent once again in 2018.  Will almost certainly receive the franchise tag again if the team can not reach a suitable long term contract.

Arthur Moats - LB - Quality backup as an outside linebacker in the Steelers defense.  Also capable special teams player.

Chris Hubbard - T - Played well after subbing in due to injury and should command a larger contract than Pittsburgh can afford this offseason.

Sean Spence - LB - Experienced inside linebacker who would give the Steelers a player who's familiar with their defense after the loss of linebacker Ryan Shazier.  

Stevan Ridley - RB - Veteran back who averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2017.  Quality backup.

Potential Cuts/Restructures:  

Mike Mitchell - FS - Enters the final year of his contract and did not have enough of an impact in 2017 to justify his cap hit.  Given the Steeers cap situation he would immediately get them under the cap with his release.  Cap savings: $5M

JJ Wilcox - SS - After signing with Tampa to start last offseason, the team traded him to Pittsburgh.  Started just one game in 2017.  Cap savings: $3.1M

Coty Sensabaugh - CB - A depth player that provided little depth by the end of the season.  Did not make the active roster by the end of the season.  Cap savings: $1.4M

Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Caught just two passes last season and played primarily on special teams.  Cap savings: $1.2M

Ryan Shazier - LB - The injury to Shazier brings his promising career in football to an end.  Because Shazier was set to enter his 5th year option, that salary is fully guaranteed from injury.  So he will receive $8.7M next season.  The team could attempt to sign him to an extension that would pay him for 2018 while spreading out his cap hit and allowing for more flexibility.