Fansided

One perfect 2020 NFL free agency signing for each team

By Russell S. Baxter

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 20: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints plays against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 20: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints plays against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 12: Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 12: Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Carlos Hyde (Houston Texans)

As has been the case in recent years, the salary cap has become a four-letter word for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As of this writing, they were the only team in the league that was over the number. Of course, a lot can happen between now and March 18 as ‘tis the season for player cuts and restructured contracts.

This past year, the Steelers nearly became the seventh team to overcome a 0-3 start and reach the playoffs. The club got a big year from an opportunistic defense bolstered by the trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh led the NFL with 38 takeaways and owned an 8-5 record with three games to go. But the club couldn’t overcome its offensive issues in a season which saw Mike Tomlin’s club start three different quarterbacks.

Regardless of who’s throwing the football, the Steelers’ ground game has become an afterthought as of late. The club has failed to run the football at least 20 times in 10 of their last 23 outings dating back to November of 2018. And nine of those contests were with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. Three-year running back James Conner has been unable to stay healthy and the offensive line disappointed in 2019. So could hard-charging Carlos Hyde be a solution? He comes off a career season with the Texans and might be had at a reasonable price.

Next: San Francisco 49ers

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