If their matchup
with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 really is to be Pittsburgh’s last game
of 2018, Sunday could be the final time fans will get to see several key players
in a Steelers uniform.
If the Pittsburgh
Steelers have hopes of playing football in January, they
will need the Cleveland
Browns to do something they have not done since 2002 - end
the season with a winning record. With the odds of that happening perhaps less
likely than the current spread of +6-points would suggest for their game
against the Baltimore
Ravens, the prospect of playoff football looks bleak for
Pittsburgh in 2018.
Should their game against the Cincinnati
Bengals be their final one of the year, it will also be the
last time several players will wear a Steelers uniform. With 16 players set to
be unrestricted free agents in 2019, there is a good chance that Sunday will be
the final opportunity for fans to see several key names suit up for the home
team.
With the exception of Ben
Roethlisberger, no current player on the roster has been with
Pittsburgh longer than Ramon Foster,
but that run looks like it will soon be coming to an end. Despite being set to
turn 33-years old in less than two weeks’ time, Foster is still playing at a
very high level and would appear to have a number of years left in him.
Although discussions
about an extension were had during the offseason, the two sides
could not agree terms.
Considering Foster told Mark Kaboly of the Athletic “They are
going to have to pay the (expletive) out of me’ to be here next year,” it
seems safe to assume he will not be offering a hometown discount. However, with
a capable B.J. Finney waiting
in the wings as significantly cheaper option, it would be fair to suggest the
Steelers might be better served long term going in a different direction
anyway.
While Tyson Alualu has been a solid presence behind Stephon Tuitt and
Cam Heyward, his second year in Pittsburgh has seen something of a decline from
last season. His playing time has reduced by around 15-percent and he has no
sacks on the season after recording four the year before. Alualu had the ninth
highest cap hit on the roster in 2018, but with options like L.T. Walton, Javon Hargrave and
even Daniel
McCullers showing progress this year, it should be expected
he will be allowed to leave this off-season.
A strong argument could have been made weeks ago that Jordan Berry deserved
to lose his job and the Steelers considered replacing him earlier in the
season. Set to become a free agent in March, it is inexplicable to think he
will see a new contract before the start of free agency. While a new punter may
not be that high on the wish list for many fans this offseason, those who have
seen the damage rookie Michael Dickson has
done for the Seattle
Seahawks this year might understand the real value of a
decent punter and the importance of having one.
Although Jesse James and Anthony
Chickillo have been dependable backups and even serviceable
starters when injuries elsewhere have dictated it, both should be considered
questionable to return in 2019. Unlikely to be offered starters money on the
open market, the Steelers could be better served financially allowed them to
hit free agency to establish their value, rather trying to sign them before the
new league year begins. Still expected to command more than the league minimum,
James in particular could find a team with cap room to spare willing to offer
more than Pittsburgh can afford next year.
Hopefully for all concerned, the Steelers will get at least
one more game at Heinz Field in 2018 to enable the fans to give these names a
proper goodbye.
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