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Pittsburgh Steelers lose a pair of linemen via Free Agency to AFC foes

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost two of their own on Tuesday when both Kelvin Beachum and Steve McLendon were signed by AFC opponents.

By Jeff.Hartman
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

There is no way the Pittsburgh Steelers could re-sign all of their many free agents entering the 2016 NFL league year, and the organization lost two of their own Tuesday when both Steve McLendon and Kelvin Beachum signed contracts with other AFC teams.

For Beachum, when the Steelers gave Ryan Harris a two-year contract Tuesday, it made his decision easier and signed a new contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Beachum is coming off a torn ACL in Week 7 of the 2015 season, and without a clean bill of health it likely hindered his negotiations with other NFL teams. Beachum had visited with the New York Jets, and even reportedly had an offer for a one-year deal from the Steelers.

Beachum was a very good teammate within the team's locker room, and a tremendous influence in the Pittsburgh area. It is no surprise he will be missed by his now former teammates.

Beachum wasn't the only player to find a new setting for next season, Steve McLendon signed a contract with the New York Jets.

McLendon wanted to play more than what he was in the Steelers' sub packages, and it had to be difficult for Pittsburgh to pay him what he was asking as he essentially turned into a part-time player. Nonetheless, McLendon was the man who had to take over the nose tackle position for Casey Hampton. He did a solid job, and unfortunately was never truly permitted to showcase his ability in the Steelers' defensive scheme.

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