Ben Roethlisberger is screwing these Steelers out of immediate contract extensions

Smith-Schuster’s name was floated before the NFL Draft as a potential fit for the San Francisco 49ers and others via trade, and on the surface, such rumors make no sense. JuJu is only one year removed from a Pro Bowl season, and struggled with injuries in 2019. Yet, due to looming contract talks after the 2020 season, the Steelers are forced to examine their options.

Roethlisberger’s lucrative deal isn’t helping matters here, either, as the Steelers don’t have the money to avoid a distraction by next offseason.

Running back is far from a premium position in today’s NFL, but James Conner has Pro Bowl potential and is a hometown kid. The Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor is a Steel City fan favorite, and has the numbers to back up a modest extension.

With his contract set to expire after next season, there’s real potential the Pitt product could be playing elsewhere come 2021, especially if he backs up an injury-plagued season with the bounce-back numbers we all know he’s capable of. The Steelers would’ve been wise to extend Conner when they could afford him this offseason. Instead, their lack of financial flexibility cost them, even as Roethlisberger reworked his deal.

Bud Dupree is playing 2020 on the franchise tag for a modest $15.8 million. The Kentucky product won’t complain about this season’s salary, but the Steelers’ inability to pay him long-term is a looming issue, as he emerged in a contract year next to Watt. There’s arguably no more important position in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense than linebacker, and the Steelers have two on the fence thanks to Roethlisberger’s gargantuan deal.

Dupree is the most likely of all four players listed to be a casualty, especially if he has another stellar season when the financial pressure is on the most. Pittsburgh will struggle to pay him his worth, and that’s in part thanks to Big Ben’s price tag.