2021, the year the window slams shut

[Coach]

"At the bare minimum, this puts the Steelers $16.6 million over the cap. Steelers Nation has to take into account the team does not have nine positions without starters signed for 2021. James Conner, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jordan Berry, Mike Hilton, Matt Feiler, Alejandro Villanueva, Cameron Heyward, Bud Dupree, and Daniel McCullers (I have him penciled in as the starting nose tackle) are all slated to hit free agency at the end of 2020. Heyward, Dupree, Hilton, Feiler, and Smith-Schuster could all command rich contracts that would include significant signing bonuses. Even if the players took veteran minimums for their base salaries, their signing bonuses should be costly. Only Stephon Tuitt is signed through the 2022 season, so do not look for any restructures which could give the team relief in 2021 with the team’s current contracts. "

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...s-will-need-to-face-kevin-colbert-free-agents

^^ 2021 = The window to play in another super bowl is closed. 4-5 starters will walk, Ben will be on this last legs, and likely will retire after the 2021 season...as the OL will be crap. Pouncey might retire around this time so. Big AL is on the decline. Feiler a solid right tackle will be a hot commodity in free agency, color him gone too. No team can obtain a franchise level QB, AND repair its OL in the same year. More like years.

If would not shock me if Tomlin steps down, as even he is smart enough to see the train wreck looming in the future.

 

[slashsteel]

I think it was one year they had what like 8-9 UFA potential losses? (whatever the number it was a lot)

Every year I hear the same ol bullshit how the Steelers can't retain this or that player. But end up keeping the majority of who they want. If not all who they want.

Yeah 2021 will be the year it all changes. (insert eye-roll here)

The roster is dependent on BigBen more than anything. If he is still on it all the main pieces stay in place.

When they get to a rebuilding mode then you might see this bigger turnover.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Every year I hear the same ol bullshit how the Steelers can't retain this or that player. But end up keeping the majority of who they want. If not all who they want.

The Steelers are going to lose a few guys, but they aren't losing half of the starting lineup. As you said, they always find a way to get it done.

 

[SteelChip]

The Steelers are going to lose a few guys, but they aren't losing half of the starting lineup. As you said, they always find a way to get it done.

Imma hafta go with Coach on this one. The 2021 season looks real bad not only salary cap wise but with no money in the cookie jar and 8-9 starters looking for big contracts, it don't look promising at all.

It's a do or die 2020 as I see it. Of course I could be wrong...but I doubt it. Happens to every team at some point in time.

 

[stillerfaninfl]

James Conner - gone. They have Snell, Whyte, McFarland and others
Jordan Berry - replaceable via draft
Alejandro Villanueva - on the downside - replaced via a cheaper FA, or, since he's not as good as he was, he'll give a discount just to stay around
Daniel McCullers - Big Dan has never played up to his potential. No one is gonna pay him big $$ - if he wants a job he'll take what is offered

They'll figure out the rest of it like always.

 

[Coach]

James Conner - gone. They have Snell, Whyte, McFarland and others
Jordan Berry - replaceable via draft
Alejandro Villanueva - on the downside - replaced via a cheaper FA, or, since he's not as good as he was, he'll give a discount just to stay around
Daniel McCullers - Big Dan has never played up to his potential. No one is gonna pay him big $$ - if he wants a job he'll take what is offered

They'll figure out the rest of it like always.

No sir the Steelers have 18 unrestricted free agents! 18. That's a bit more than 1/3 of the 53 man roster. Up against the cap, forgetaboutit. It's rebuilding time.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is likely gone,
Mike Hilton will not sign for cheap. We might be able to keep him.
Matt Feiler - Likely gone, he'll get paid 7-12 million as a quality Right tackle/ Guard. Feiler is about to enter his prime
Alejandro Villanueva - A starting left tackle on the slide, I can see another team 1-2 players away with OL issues taking a gamble with him. The Steelers have no proven depth at left tackle. Might be better off now at Right Tackle.
Cameron Heyward - I bite the bullet and give him a 3rd contract as he's still playing at a high level and a team leader.
Bud Dupree - We cannot afford him. I was surprised the steelers gave him the tag. We coddle have had a 3rd round comp pick and 12+ million to plug holes...and we've got a lot of future holes.

Did I mention this will be Ben's last year, and behind him is Rudy and Duck?

You can view all free agents in 2021 at the below link:

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2021/all/pittsburgh-steelers/

 

[TDX27]

Other teams will have to face the same cap number we do next year. We won't be the only team with issues. And, it might drive some salaries down or players (if young enough) could opt to sit a year until the cap goes back up the next year. The large increase in the cap teams were expecting for 2021 should now happen in 2022.

 

[stillwright]

Yep. Steelers will not be the only team pinching the pennies.

Other teams will have to face the same cap number we do next year. We won't be the only team with issues. And, it might drive some salaries down or players (if young enough) could opt to sit a year until the cap goes back up the next year. The large increase in the cap teams were expecting for 2021 should now happen in 2022.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Drink IRON City]

No sir the Steelers have 18 unrestricted free agents! 18. That's a bit more than 1/3 of the 53 man roster. Up against the cap, forgetaboutit. It's rebuilding time.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is likely gone,
Mike Hilton will not sign for cheap. We might be able to keep him.
Matt Feiler - Likely gone, he'll get paid 7-12 million as a quality Right tackle/ Guard. Feiler is about to enter his prime
Alejandro Villanueva - A starting left tackle on the slide, I can see another team 1-2 players away with OL issues taking a gamble with him. The Steelers have no proven depth at left tackle. Might be better off now at Right Tackle.
Cameron Heyward - I bite the bullet and give him a 3rd contract as he's still playing at a high level and a team leader.
Bud Dupree - We cannot afford him. I was surprised the steelers gave him the tag. We coddle have had a 3rd round comp pick and 12+ million to plug holes...and we've got a lot of future holes.

Did I mention this will be Ben's last year, and behind him is Rudy and Duck?

You can view all free agents in 2021 at the below link:

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2021/all/pittsburgh-steelers/

ALL these players you say are leaving also give up cap space thus allowing to resign some. This huge purge isn't quite cut and dry as you like to think it is. Duck won't make the 2020 roster and if mason doesn't show huge improvement now that he is heale4d up he can leave as well. PAXTON LYNCH come on down................ Crazy ***





Salute the nation

 

[SteelChip]

ALL these players you say are leaving also give up cap space thus allowing to resign some. This huge purge isn't quite cut and dry as you like to think it is. Duck won't make the 2020 roster and if mason doesn't show huge improvement now that he is heale4d up he can leave as well. PAXTON LYNCH come on down................ Crazy ***

Good points, especially Paxston and Duck and I wanna know where you got those rose colored glasses...lol

What Coach left out were some other key spots like

Tyson Alualu
Zack Banner
Jourdon Dangerfield
Cameron Sutton
James Conner
Paxston Lynch
Marcus Allen

NOW add

JuJu Smith-Schuster
Mike Hilton
Matt Feiler
Alejandro Villanueva
Cameron Heyward
Bud Dupree

and them glasses gotta be turnin' a little grey uh DIC ? Hey, I love the positivity but I ain't seein' it...ya know.

All them contracts and dead money from contract extensions on top that I'm certain are out there somewhere and the situation is potentially problematic at best especially when Ben's contract hits the cap big even if his arm isn't up to snuff. We are up agin it in 2021 and even if we win big this year the draft next year will be an even worse option to back fill.

Oh yeah....did I forget to mention the team is up against the cap and the cap very well may go down ? sorry, my bad

I imagine Colbert and Khan will be eyeing the top of that bridge come the end of this season...if we have one.

 

[Steelmann]

Good points, especially Paxston and Duck and I wanna know where you got those rose colored glasses...lol

What Coach left out were some other key spots like

Tyson Alualu
Zack Banner
Jourdon Dangerfield
Cameron Sutton
James Conner
Paxston Lynch
Marcus Allen

NOW add

JuJu Smith-Schuster
Mike Hilton
Matt Feiler
Alejandro Villanueva
Cameron Heyward
Bud Dupree

and them glasses gotta be turnin' a little grey uh DIC ? Hey, I love the positivity but I ain't seein' it...ya know.

All them contracts and dead money from contract extensions on top that I'm certain are out there somewhere and the situation is potentially problematic at best especially when Ben's contract hits the cap big even if his arm isn't up to snuff. We are up agin it in 2021 and even if we win big this year the draft next year will be an even worse option to back fill.

Oh yeah....did I forget to mention the team is up against the cap and the cap very well may go down ? sorry, my bad

I imagine Colbert and Khan will be eyeing the top of that bridge come the end of this season...if we have one.

After reading your 2 posts on this subject,its something I have also given a lot of thought to......mostly about how did we find ourselves in this predicament. Sometimes I think we give Kevin & Kahn a little too much credit. Myself included. We always seem to be right up against the cap. This year we were what 2-3rd with the least amount in the league to spend. As we always seem to be. This is without the well documented big contracts coming up.
And yes I know we don’t spend a ton on free agency. But it would have been nice to have a little in the kitty for these upcoming contracts.

I have no problem with the team rewarding the players big contracts,being up against the cap every year,if the play on the field consistently warrants it. But we have missed the playoffs 2 years in a row. ( yes Big Ben played one of those years.*sarcasam)We all know our dismal playoff record over the last years. This season,if played,shall be very interesting.

 

[CoolieMan]

always ******* doom and gloom about seasons in the future

after they take down #7 this season....I'm sure they will figure something out about 2021

 

[Drink IRON City]

Good points, especially Paxston and Duck and I wanna know where you got those rose colored glasses...lol

What Coach left out were some other key spots like

Tyson Alualu
Zack Banner
Jourdon Dangerfield
Cameron Sutton
James Conner
Paxston Lynch
Marcus Allen

NOW add

JuJu Smith-Schuster
Mike Hilton
Matt Feiler
Alejandro Villanueva
Cameron Heyward
Bud Dupree

and them glasses gotta be turnin' a little grey uh DIC ? Hey, I love the positivity but I ain't seein' it...ya know.

All them contracts and dead money from contract extensions on top that I'm certain are out there somewhere and the situation is potentially problematic at best especially when Ben's contract hits the cap big even if his arm isn't up to snuff. We are up agin it in 2021 and even if we win big this year the draft next year will be an even worse option to back fill.

Oh yeah....did I forget to mention the team is up against the cap and the cap very well may go down ? sorry, my bad

I imagine Colbert and Khan will be eyeing the top of that bridge come the end of this season...if we have one.

I never said it would be easy but if there is a way, I'm hoping the FO can do the best available one. Yes we are UP TIGHT AGAINST the cap and every year that seems to be the case except the difference for 2021 is the cap may be lower. (Not a known yet). SteelChip, I see our pleight but also look for the positives as I don't see the end-all as many here do.

KEEP in mind that I don't have rose colored glasses but instead chose to sport Black & Gold ones as they are way more styliN.






Salute the nation

 

[SteelChip]

always ******* doom and gloom about seasons in the future

Not always...I had high hopes for last season goin' in. That'll teach me.

 

[slashsteel]

Not always...I had high hopes for last season goin' in. That'll teach me.

Unforeseen injuries can always derail a season especially to your franchise player. Let us see how this season transpires.

 

[SteelChip]

.mostly about how did we find ourselves in this predicament.

My memory ain't what it was but there used to be a day when the Stillers would always have all kindsa of cash sittin' around. Nobody got a big contract and very very few players got the kind of contract extensions they get now. There wasn't a hard salary cap at first and when it went into effect, the borrowing from tomorrow to pay today stuff the other teams did didn't come into vogue with Pittsburgh until ? the 70s-80s I'm guessin' ? In fact when they started doin' that I was surprised 'cause ole man Art wouldn't have had none of that ****. Musta been the big bucks he threw down on "Whizzer" that never really paid off...lol Players demanded big bucks and they were gone like Rod, Franco, Alan Faneca, Chad Brown and a bunch more I can't remember but they made it work for a long time.

Of course there was the win-loss thing that went with being cheap and letting players walk but hey...ya can't have everything now can ya.

 

[Stryker]

The Steelers as well as the rest of the league, was expecting a HUGE cap jump next year. Now with Covid, there is talk of lowering the cap. And that cap will drip if there is no football this year. That would be the worst possible scenario for this roster.

For me, you have to start making tough decision on who to play and who to let go:

Heyward: I keep him if I can, if not, he's a Franchise tag and trade
Sutton & Hilton: You can only keep 1. I love Hilton, but Sutton is younger and will be cheaper
Villa: I let go. He's starting to regress and will not merit another contract
Feiler and Banner: You have to keep one. Feiler is moving to LG. I have Banner with the inside edge to start at RG. If he can swing to or even Chuckes, That helps with Villa's departure. Hell if Feiler can do it, you keep him as well. I sign these guys over Villa though, just because you need good young talent on the line, and at least with Feiler moving to LG, he'll be a cheaper signing that staying a tackle.
Conner: is gone. I want to keep him. He's 100% Pittsburgh, but this roster is thick with RB talent, and the draft can help us find another RB on the cheap
Dupree is gone
Vance is gone, since Ebron is under contract
Alualu is gone, McCullers would be the cheaper keep
Berry is gone, need to save cap
Wormley is a question mark. We have to see how he plays to estimate his value. But one of Worm, McCullers, Alualu will be kept
Dangerfield, No respect and no contract
Breon Borders. Who? Gone. might not make the roster anyway.
Tre Edmunds might not make the roster this year. The RB position is loaded
Ola and Spillaine are up. Ola will be kept if Bud is not signed Spilliane is a depth sign on the cheap
QB wise with Duck and Paxon, whichever wins their spot in camp, they will stay and earn a new contract.
JuJu is the toughest cut for me. He's worth the resign, he's got the talent, but we have to pay for his exact value, and right now he's a $9-11M/yr player. He'll want $15-$17M money, and I just don't see him being that. If he can't get closer to the lower numbers, he won't be a Steeler.
The rest look like camp scrubs on 1yr contracts anyway.

Interesting that Tomlin will be up as well. I expect him to get an extension this year, if we have football. He doesn't count against the cap anyway.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Cope, not arguing Tomlin greatness but not sure of a assumed extension this year. Last extension they sent a strong message to him. He had an excuse last season but this season is the tell tail. I'm not saying he is gone but I'm also saying ownership wants more than 8-8.





Salute the nation

 

[kev4heels]

The Steelers as well as the rest of the league, was expecting a HUGE cap jump next year. Now with Covid, there is talk of lowering the cap. And that cap will drip if there is no football this year. That would be the worst possible scenario for this roster.

For me, you have to start making tough decision on who to play and who to let go:

Heyward: I keep him if I can, if not, he's a Franchise tag and trade
Sutton & Hilton: You can only keep 1. I love Hilton, but Sutton is younger and will be cheaper
Villa: I let go. He's starting to regress and will not merit another contract
Feiler and Banner: You have to keep one. Feiler is moving to LG. I have Banner with the inside edge to start at RG. If he can swing to or even Chuckes, That helps with Villa's departure. Hell if Feiler can do it, you keep him as well. I sign these guys over Villa though, just because you need good young talent on the line, and at least with Feiler moving to LG, he'll be a cheaper signing that staying a tackle.
Conner: is gone. I want to keep him. He's 100% Pittsburgh, but this roster is thick with RB talent, and the draft can help us find another RB on the cheap
Dupree is gone
Vance is gone, since Ebron is under contract
Alualu is gone, McCullers would be the cheaper keep
Berry is gone, need to save cap
Wormley is a question mark. We have to see how he plays to estimate his value. But one of Worm, McCullers, Alualu will be kept
Dangerfield, No respect and no contract
Breon Borders. Who? Gone. might not make the roster anyway.
Tre Edmunds might not make the roster this year. The RB position is loaded
Ola and Spillaine are up. Ola will be kept if Bud is not signed Spilliane is a depth sign on the cheap
QB wise with Duck and Paxon, whichever wins their spot in camp, they will stay and earn a new contract.
JuJu is the toughest cut for me. He's worth the resign, he's got the talent, but we have to pay for his exact value, and right now he's a $9-11M/yr player. He'll want $15-$17M money, and I just don't see him being that. If he can't get closer to the lower numbers, he won't be a Steeler.
The rest look like camp scrubs on 1yr contracts anyway.

Interesting that Tomlin will be up as well. I expect him to get an extension this year, if we have football. He doesn't count against the cap anyway.

Pretty thorough analysis.
Disagree on Heyward and possibly JuJu.
Cam is going NOWHERE. JuJu could be re-signed, but it depends on how much he wants to re-up.
If it's astronomical, let him go.

Hilton gone...Sutton in
Villy gone...need a LT in FA or the draft. Feiler stays at LG while Chuks takes over at RT this year.
Banner is gone... as is Dupree, Conner, Vance, McCullers, Berry, Dangerfield.

 

[21STEELERS21]

I vote to play 2020 and worry about 2021 next year.

 

[SteelChip]

Hey Cope. I saw an article ( can't find it now) that said Terrell Edmunds was one of 3 players that could be unexpected cap casualties because Brooks was potentially more versatile. The other two players I could see ( you too evidently ) were Villa and Conner but Edmunds had me scratchin. Is he considered to be that shaky that a 6th round pick could displace him ?

https://stillcurtain.com/2020/04/28/steelers-brooks-jr-needed/

DEFENSE

CB Mike Hilton - 74.5 overall grade

CB Steven Nelson - 72.5 overall grade

CB Cam Sutton - 87.1 overall grade (highest graded secondary player)

CB Joe Haden - 61.5 overall grade (lowest graded corner)

S Kameron Kelly - 36.7 overall grade (lowest graded player on team)

S Terrell Edmunds - 63.3 overall grade

S Minkah Fitzpatrick - 73.6 overall grade

LB Mark Barron - 49.8 overall grade

LB Devin Bush - 57.2 overall grade

LB Vince Williams - 69.8 overall grade

DE Tyson Alualu - 70.1 overall grade

DT Javon Hargrave - 77.2 overall grade

DL Stephon Tuitt - 89.4 overall grade

DL Cam Heyward - 90.8 overall grade (Cam/Tuitt was the best iDL duo in NFL according to PFF)

EDGE TJ Watt - 90.4 overall grade (highest graded edge defender in NFL)

EDGE Bud Dupree - 80.6 overall grade (in his contract year, PFF finally grades him positively)

 

[Coach]

Pretty thorough analysis.
Disagree on Heyward and possibly JuJu.
Cam is going NOWHERE. JuJu could be re-signed, but it depends on how much he wants to re-up.
If it's astronomical, let him go.

Hilton gone...Sutton in
Villy gone...need a LT in FA or the draft. Feiler stays at LG while Chuks takes over at RT this year.
Banner is gone... as is Dupree, Conner, Vance, McCullers, Berry, Dangerfield.

Hinton and Sutton are different players. One's very good in the slot. The other is okay as a 3rd or 4th corner outside the has marks, Sutton can not play the slot well. Hilton would be torched on the outside. The loss of Hilton IMO would be worse for the Steelers.. Our 3rd round pick Layne, who I liked pre draft played awful as a rookie. He needs to show something this season.

 

[Stryker]

Hey Cope. I saw an article ( can't find it now) that said Terrell Edmunds was one of 3 players that could be unexpected cap casualties because Brooks was potentially more versatile. The other two players I could see ( you too evidently ) were Villa and Conner but Edmunds had me scratchin. Is he considered to be that shaky that a 6th round pick could displace him ?

https://stillcurtain.com/2020/04/28/steelers-brooks-jr-needed/

DEFENSE

CB Mike Hilton - 74.5 overall grade

CB Steven Nelson - 72.5 overall grade

CB Cam Sutton - 87.1 overall grade (highest graded secondary player)

CB Joe Haden - 61.5 overall grade (lowest graded corner)

S Kameron Kelly - 36.7 overall grade (lowest graded player on team)

S Terrell Edmunds - 63.3 overall grade

S Minkah Fitzpatrick - 73.6 overall grade

LB Mark Barron - 49.8 overall grade

LB Devin Bush - 57.2 overall grade

LB Vince Williams - 69.8 overall grade

DE Tyson Alualu - 70.1 overall grade

DT Javon Hargrave - 77.2 overall grade

DL Stephon Tuitt - 89.4 overall grade

DL Cam Heyward - 90.8 overall grade (Cam/Tuitt was the best iDL duo in NFL according to PFF)

EDGE TJ Watt - 90.4 overall grade (highest graded edge defender in NFL)

EDGE Bud Dupree - 80.6 overall grade (in his contract year, PFF finally grades him positively)

Thanks for sharing Chip!

I'm with you though on Cam. I think he's a Steeler for life, but if they're ever going to do a rebuild, they could get a lot of value off a tag and trade. It would come down to the front office direction and if they need to draft a QB high.

I think we have the Edmunds bros confused. Terrell, is a safety and has 2 more years left on his contract, with the chance for a 5th year option being a 1st rounder, giving him another possible 3 years with the team. Tre is the RB brother, who I don't think will make the roster this year. Too many options right now and I think the other RBs offer more than he does.

 

[SteelChip]

Thanks for sharing Chip!

I'm with you though on Cam. I think he's a Steeler for life, but if they're ever going to do a rebuild, they could get a lot of value off a tag and trade. It would come down to the front office direction and if they need to draft a QB high.

I think we have the Edmunds bros confused. Terrell, is a safety and has 2 more years left on his contract, with the chance for a 5th year option being a 1st rounder, giving him another possible 3 years with the team. Tre is the RB brother, who I don't think will make the roster this year. Too many options right now and I think the other RBs offer more than he does.

Nope, I definitely know the difference....found the article.

3 starters who could lose their jobs in 2020 you might not have thought of

S Terrell Edmunds
Before we go too far into this, understand Edmunds wasn’t as bad as his biggest critics would portray him to be. He was second on the team in total tackles trailing only linebacker Devin Bush. But the addition of Antoine Brooks Jr. through the 2020 NFL draft complicates things for Edmunds. Brooks brings a more rounded skillset and would give Pittsburgh more freedom and that includes potentially helping Minkah Fitzpatrick
https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2020/07/05/steelers-nfl-2020-starters-james-conner/2/.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Edmunds has a zero percent chance of being beat out by Brooks this year.

Also, can we talk about how awful those grades are for the Steelers defensive backfield? Minkah with a 73.6 and Joe Haden the lowest graded CB on the team and over 10 points less than Nelson? Get real.