Steelers News: Of those entering the final year of their contract, which Steelers will stay?

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 NFL Draft is officially over. After finishing last year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, have another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at which players, who are in the final year of their contract, will remain with the black-and-gold next season?

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers have some key players entering the final year of their contracts, and which players stay is worth discussing.

Mark Madden: 3 starters likely entering final season with Steelers

By: Mark Madden, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Alejandro Villanueva, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner are all likely headed into their final season with the Steelers. Each will be in the last year of his contract.

Villanueva’s exit would be logical. He’s 31 and struggled last season after making the Pro Bowl in 2017 and ’18. Villanueva’s performance likely took a hit when Ramon Foster (since retired) imploded to his immediate right. But if Villanueva does OK this campaign, he may get another year by way of not breaking in somebody new at left tackle for what figures to be Ben Roethlisberger’s final season in 2021.

Smith-Schuster, 23, is in an odd place. He didn’t rise to the level of No. 1 receiver in Antonio Brown’s absence this past year. If he does so now, Smith-Schuster will price himself out of Pittsburgh. If he’s subpar again, the Steelers won’t want him. Either way, he’s gone. The Steelers won’t franchise him, not at an $18 million price tag.

Conner, 25, is the most interesting case. There’s more at stake for him than for Smith-Schuster.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Anthony McFarland’s one day at a time approach could be just what the doctor ordered for the rookie RB.

McFarland taking it one day at a time

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

It’s not the way he anticipated spending his first few weeks as a Steelers’ rookie.

Anthony McFarland thought he would be headed to Pittsburgh last week for the team’s rookie minicamp, three days of on-field drills and getting his first taste of the NFL.

Instead the running back from Maryland, who was one of the team’s fourth round selections, is living in a virtual world, taking part in a virtual rookie minicamp, interacting with his fellow rookies and hearing from his coaches.

“I am going on Facetime, meeting my coach, going over things I need to know,” said McFarland. “I am getting ready for everything, doing what I would be doing even though it is virtual. It’s a valuable time. I am learning. I am willing to learn. I am stepping into something totally different than college. It’s like getting a step ahead before we report, whenever that is.

“I am taking it one day at a time. Anything my coaches give me virtually. I am looking at it. I want to make sure I know everything I need to know. When it is time to go, I will be ready.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Jay Glazer criticized Ben Roethlisberger, but sure did pivot quickly.

Why did Jay Glazer pivot so quickly after jabbing Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger?

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I give you tons of sports.

Even though there are no sports.

Thankfully, the NFL continues to give us plenty of content during the covid-19 pandemic. The league’s schedule came out. Now the question becomes, will it actually be played, or will the virus keep the whole sport on the sidelines?

Similarly, Major League Baseball has come up with its latest plan to restart the season. But how feasible is it? Mark and I have doubts. And one specific concern stands out beyond the rest.

We also debate if a season of less than 80 games is worth playing.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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