My new favorite pastime is moving on from Steelers players and coaches

I simply wish to start this text by saying that I’ve all the time appreciated the form of soccer participant Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has been since Pittsburgh drafted him within the second spherical in 2017. However whereas JuJu the soccer participant has been a deal with, JuJu the model developer has merely been exhausting. He’s too frightened about TikTok dances and speaking trash with the Browns to essentially concentrate on his craft. Fairly frankly—and whereas I’ll all the time cherish that evening in Cincinnati when he knocked Vontaze Burfict into the next week—I’m glad Smith-Schuster is getting into free company. The Steelers don’t want one other Antonio Brown, and I concern that’s the form of individual Smith-Schuster is popping into. All one of the best, JuJu, however I feel it’s time you and the Steelers parted methods.

Earlier than I proceed with this text, I simply wish to say that whereas I’ll all the time respect the form of quarterback and participant Ben Roethlisberger has been since arriving on the town 17 springs in the past, I feel it’s time he and the Steelers say their goodbyes. $19 million for the Huge Ben of 5 years in the past might have been a discount. Sadly, paying that a lot for Damaged Down Ben is a hindrance in 2021. It’s exhausting watching this staff underachieve yr after yr within the playoffs, with the primary underachiever being No. 7, himself. Sorry, Ben, however I’m prepared for the day while you cling up your cleats for good.

I imply no disrespect by this, however as a lot as I love Joe Haden and what he’s contributed to each the Steelers and the group since signing with Pittsburgh again in 2017, I really feel as if he’s misplaced a step. And does a mediocre soccer staff actually wish to pay an growing old cornerback $7 million in 2021? Truthfully, I wouldn’t thoughts seeing him in a unique uniform subsequent season. I’m wondering what the Steelers would save in cap room by parting methods with Haden? I’m wondering what they might fetch in a commerce for him?

Earlier than I proceed, I simply wish to say that as a lot as I like and respect Vince Williams for the form of participant he’s turned himself into after coming to city as a sixth-round decide in 2013, he’s far too costly for the manufacturing the Steelers are getting from him. Apart from, I actually like Robert Spillane’s upside, and if the staff reduce Williams, at this time, that might quantity to $4 million in cap financial savings. Additionally, whereas I like his moxie, I’m not a giant fan of his social media presence, a presence that I contemplate exhausting. I feel it’s time the Steelers and Williams go their separate methods.

Look, no person respects the navy greater than me, however whereas I’ll all the time be indebted to Alejandro Villanueva for his service to our nation, I’m prepared for the Steelers to maneuver on from Huge Al and discover a new left sort out. He’s a turnstile at this level. Thanks for every thing, Al, however I feel it’s time you bought on together with your life’s work.

Hey, hear, I like Chris Boswell’s consistency, however do the Steelers actually have to be paying a kicker over $ 3 million once they’re in wage cap hell? Matthew Wright seemed fairly respectable filling in for Boz down the stretch of the 2020 season, and the little you lose with consistency with Wright, you’ll be gaining that rather more within the wage dump.

Anyway, I’ve been asking myself currently what the Steelers want with an All-Professional security at this level? As a lot as I like Minkah Fitzpatrick and what he brings to the desk, I wouldn’t be too upset if Pittsburgh shopped him round this offseason. Think about what you could possibly fetch in change for a expertise of Fitzpatrick’s magnitude, a participant who primarily nonetheless has two years to go on his rookie deal. Kevin Colbert can be smart to hearken to provides.

Chase Claypool is a beast, however I really feel as if he could also be heading down the identical path as Smith-Schuster, who, as I’ve already mentioned, could also be heading down the identical path as AB. I understand I’d catch hell for his, however I severely wouldn’t be too unhappy if Pittsburgh listened to provides from different groups.

Cam Heyward could also be a pillar within the Pittsburgh group, however I questioned that four-year contract extension the second the Steelers gave it to him again in September. It’s too dangerous it’s not 2024 as a result of the staff will save itself $12 million by releasing Heyward then.

Don’t get me unsuitable, I feel it’s nice that Terrell Edmunds has turned himself right into a extra constant sturdy security, however do the Steelers want one other “me-first” hip hop man who isn’t centered on soccer? I actually wouldn’t be too upset if Pittsburgh didn’t decide up Edmunds’ fifth-year possibility.

I beloved Zach Banner’s persona, at first, however now that his character traits have been on show for properly over a yr, now, I concern he might turn out to be a distraction that the staff would not want. Truthfully, I wouldn’t be too upset if the Steelers allowed Banner to discover free company and simply seemed for his or her subsequent beginning sort out within the draft.

I additionally wouldn’t be all that upset if somebody overpaid for Matt Feiler.

Lastly, whereas I do assume Mike Tomlin is an efficient head coach, I really feel as if his message has gotten stale. Truthfully—and I’d catch hell for this—I wouldn’t be too upset if Tomlin and the Steelers determined to half methods.