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Offseason Moves the Steelers Need to Make for a Playoff Push With Ben Roethlisberger Back in 2020

By Jason Schandl

Steelers' offseason needs to get back to the playoffs with Ben Roethlisberger include addressing OL.
Steelers' offseason needs to get back to the playoffs with Ben Roethlisberger include addressing OL. / Al Pereira/Getty Images
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Ben Roethlisberger is back to throwing, which is a great sign that he could be a full-go by the time Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season rolls around.

Big Ben only made it through one full game before elbow surgery cost him the rest of the season last year, but Pittsburgh still managed to knock on the door of the playoffs, finishing 8-8.

These are three moves the Steelers make to capitalize on their franchise QB's return and make the postseason in 2020.

1. Replace Ramon Foster

Ramon Foster before a snap against the Ravens.
Ramon Foster before a snap against the Ravens. / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Ramon Foster has been a mainstay on the Steelers' offensive line for years, starting 145 games since being drafted in 2009. He's being floated as a potential cut candidate, though, as cutting the 34-year-old would free up some cap space. With Roethlisberger's injury history, keeping him upright is going to be a top priority in 2020, and that could mean bringing in a top free agent like former New England Patriot Joe Thuney, who ranked second among all offensive guards in ESPN's pass block win rate metric in 2019.

2. Add Running Back Depth

Jordan Howard on the sideline of a game against the Patriots.
Jordan Howard on the sideline of a game against the Patriots. / Corey Perrine/Getty Images

The Steelers don't lack competition in the backfield, with James Conner, Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell all still under contract, but they could still look to address the position after finishing 29th in the NFL in rushing yards per game last season. It may not be worth paying up for the high-profile free agents like Derrick Henry or Melvin Gordon, but a speculative add on someone like Lamar Miller or Jordan Howard could give them a nice boost on that front.

3. Replace Bud Dupree

Bud Dupree during a game against the Cardinals.
Bud Dupree during a game against the Cardinals. / Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

Bud Dupree's contract is up, and despite one solid year in 2019, the Steelers would still be best served to let him walk. This year's free agent class is flush with pass-rush talent. There are six outside linebackers (including Dupree) set to become unrestricted free agents that racked up at least 10 sacks in 2019, and there are seven players in the class that had at least as many QB hits as Dupree's 16. Whether a star like Matthew Judon becomes available, or the Steelers look to someone less heralded, like Dante Fowler Jr., there are no shortage of replacement options for Dupree.

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Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.