Steelers: 3 next moves after extending Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Steelers signed Minkah Fitzpatrick to a contract extension on Wednesday, but what’s next in Pittsburgh?

The Steelers’ offseason is far from over. They still have minor signings to make, draft picks to ink and trades to consider.

Extending Fitzpatrick does one thing for Pittsburgh — it means the core of their defense is signed long-term in T.J. Watt and the Alabama product. The Steelers traded a first-round pick for Minkah just a few years ago. When they did so, they intended to sign him to a long-term contract. Now, that deed is done.

But what could come next in the Steel City? Ben Roethlisberger is retired. The NFL Draft is behind us as well as the majority of NFL free agency.

Yet, new general manager Omar Khan will stay busy, and for good reason. He needs to leave his imprint on the team, for better or worse.

Steelers rumors: Mason Rudolph on the trade block

Rudolph performed well in team mini camp. With that in mind, the time is now to trade him for future draft picks.

Quarterbacks are in demand, and the Steelers have three fairly capable ones. Don’t believe everything you hear — Rudolph is a solid third behind the likes of Mitch Trubisky (who was brought in as a bridge QB) and Kenny Pickett, the team’s first-round pick this past April.

There’s a reason Roethlisberger reached out to Pickett and Trubisky after he retired, but not Rudolph. He’s not worth the investment. Rudolph received his opportunity in years past and didn’t take advantage of it. He’s not bad, but serviceable isn’t good enough at signal-caller in today’s NFL.

Sorry, Mason. You’re on the outs.