3 Steelers who can’t be brought back for post-Ben Roethlisberger rebuild

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to prepare for life without Ben Roethlisberger after this season. Here are three individuals who should not return for 2022.

If there was ever confirmation that Ben Roethlisberger’s time with the Pittsburgh Steelers was nearing its end, take a look at their Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns. After the win, Roethlisberger emotionally took it all in and thanked the fans packed inside Heinz Field.

With Roethlisberger on the way out of Pittsburgh, the Steelers will undoubtedly go through some changes this offseason. Not only will they have to look inside and outside the organization for a potential successor to the former 2004 first-rounder, but they will have to decide how their roster will look for 2022 and beyond.

Here are three Steelers who should not return in 2022.

Ray-Ray McCloud, WR

Pittsburgh’s wide receiver depth chart could take a hit due to free agency. JuJu Smith-Schuster is set to hit the open market for the second-consecutive year and could potentially be on the way out. But when it comes to which wideout the Steelers should choose to allow to sign elsewhere, it is Ray-Ray McCloud.

McCloud was primarily a kick and punt returner, but has been more involved in the passing game in the past two seasons in Matt Canada’s offense. Entering Week 18, McCloud received 57 targets, catching 35 of them for 260 yards. He received eight targets against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16, and 10 against the Browns in Week 17.

In regards to the choices the Steelers will have to make, James Washington is also set to be a free agent. If Pittsburgh is truly going all-in on Mason Rudolph as the starter in 2022, it would make sense to bring back his former Oklahoma State teammate. If that is the case, then McCloud exiting will free up approximately $1 million off the books.