3 moves Steelers can make thanks to Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract

2. Sign Curtis Samuel

Some Steelers fans are desperate to see the franchise re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster, but the odds are stacked against him returning to Pittsburgh despite his desire to stay put. Instead, the team could look to find a cheaper, potentially more dynamic option in free agency.

Samuel fits that definition perfectly. He really came into his own in Carolina during Matt Rhule’s first season in charge. He was a solid contributor for the Panthers as a pass catcher on the perimeter, but he also made plays out of the backfield from the running back spot. The Steelers could benefit from signing him at both spots on their offense.

The fact that Samuel won’t cost as much as Smith-Schuster on the open market adds to his appeal for Pittsburgh. He shouldn’t cost more than $10 million per season. That allows his salary to comfortably fit inside the amount Roehtlisberg has recently opened up.

Some Steelers fans might not see wide receiver as a position of real need for the team this offseason, but adding guys who can take playmaking pressure off of Big Ben should be a priority for Pittsburgh. Samuel could be a clever signing for the team’s front office.