Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 offseason needs

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: A detailed logo of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen at the center of the field during an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 17, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 26: Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) in action during an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers on November 26, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers went on to win the game 31-28 with a field goal on final play. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Middle linebacker

The harsh reality of the NFL is injuries are a huge part of the game. For some, those injuries could not only be career-altering, but could have a significant effect on that player’s life. Unfortunately for the Steelers, this reality played out this year when young star middle linebacker Ryan Shazier injured his back against the Cincinnati Bengals. Most fans know by now that Shazier suffered a serious back injury that required surgery and faces a very uncertain future. While everyone wants the best possible outcome, the Steelers have to turn their attention to the field where the absence of Shazier derailed the entire defense after he was hurt.

In the games without Shazier, the Steelers gave up 38, 27, 6, and 24 points in the regular season before getting destroyed by the Jacksonville offense to the tune of 45 points in the playoffs. Every single point wasn’t scored on the defense in these four games but the fact is they bled points and yards after they lost Shazier. The defense simply should not have been that bad without one player and Pittsburgh absolutely cannot trust Vince Williams and whoever else to man the middle linebacker spot. Williams is not starting caliber in the NFL as he was pushed around after Shzier was lost.

This will sound terrible, but Pittsburgh could at least think about cutting Shazier to save $8.7 million against the cap if his career is in jeopardy. Pittsburgh could still easily give him a position on the coaching side and make sure he’s involved with the team.

As far as on field, it would be difficult to pull off but the Steelers could try to trade up in the draft high enough to take Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith. They don’t do it often and it would take a haul in draft picks to do it but the Steelers should do their best to maximize the window they have with Roethlisberger and Brown. Smith could solve that hole for the next five to eight years. The last time Pittsburgh traded up in the first round to take a defensive player, they landed safety Troy Polamalu.

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