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Pittsburgh Steelers free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

By Russell S. Baxter

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers laughs with head coach Mike Tomlin against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers laughs with head coach Mike Tomlin against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 29: Alex Mack #51 of the Atlanta Falcons points out Shaq Thompson #54 of the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on October 29, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 29: Alex Mack #51 of the Atlanta Falcons points out Shaq Thompson #54 of the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on October 29, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

It may be a wishful-thinking list for a team with some salary cap issues.

From a franchise-record 11-0 start to four losses in their final five games to a shocking 48-37 home setback to the Cleveland Browns in the wild card playoffs. Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers managed to win the AFC North for the first time since 2017 but that was about it.

There have already been changes as offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner will not return and Matt Canada was promoted to take his spot (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com). The team also signed discarded Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins to a future’s contract (see Patra).

It’s a team that is quite cap-strapped (via Spotrac) and outside linebacker Bud Dupree, wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, running back James Conner are potential free agents. Who know what the future holds for veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as well?

When it comes to free agency, general manager Kevin Colbert and company will likely be looking for bargains when the new league year begins in mid-March. Hence the following five possibilities.

5. C Alex Mack (Atlanta Falcons)

It will be interesting to see whether eight-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey returns for a 12th NFL season. There’s speculation that he could retire (see Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). J.C. Hassenauer did an admirable job replacing the veteran snapper, starting four of the club’ final six games – three at center and one at left guard.

Alex Mack was the 21st overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Browns. He spent his first seven seasons in Cleveland before signing a five-year deal to join the Falcons in 2016. That contract will expire in mid-March and it will be interesting to see if he intends to return to the NFL in ‘21. Call it a one-year stop-gap while the team grooms a center of the future, which could possibly be Hassenauer.

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