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Pittsburgh Steelers: Predictions for key contracts that expire in 2021

By Samuel Teets

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

A fair number of Pro Bowlers play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the team is facing multiple key contracts that expire after the 2020 season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers risk losing several players in free agency this offseason. Notably, Bud Dupree and Javon Hargrave are unrestricted free agents, and it’s unlikely Pittsburgh can keep both defenders. However, the organization is staring at a more dire situation in 2021.

After the 2020 season, a considerable number of role players and starters will become free agents. With Ben Roethlisberger coming off of a season spent on injured reserve and preparing to enter his age-38 season, Pittsburgh could be facing a rebuilding situation shortly. The team’s 2021 contract situation may play a role in how the Steelers view their future past this coming season.

Players with expiring contracts appear in alphabetical order by their last names. At the end of each section, there is a prediction about what the Steelers will do with the player. All of the presented actions are my opinions, but I back them up with statistics and facts.

Without further delay, here are seven players with contracts set to expire after the 2020 season.

Mark Barron, ILB

The Steelers gave Barron a two-year deal worth $12 million in March of last year. Before signing with Pittsburgh, Barron spent four and a half seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles released Barron to save cap space and Pittsburgh may make a similar move this offseason.

After signing Barron, the Steelers drafted Devin Bush with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite some rough weeks, Bush became an impact player early in the season. Arguably, Pittsburgh is better off with Bush and Vince Williams as its starting inside linebackers.

There is a potential out in Barron’s deal this offseason that generates $2.875 million in dead cap but otherwise clears him from Pittsburgh’s books. Even if the Steelers keep Barron around, he’s not a priority in 2021.

Predicted action – released in 2020

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