3 Players the Steelers Won't Be Able to Keep This Offseason

The free agency period is scheduled to begin on March 18, the new league year for the NFL. Some teams will be active, but the Pittsburgh Steelers did their work last year, and now they're right up against the cap in 2020. The team ranks among the bottom of the league in terms of spending power, and will first have to address its own free agents, before exploring the market.

So, with 13 unrestricted and restricted free agents, who will be putting their yellow and black on the shelf?

3. NT Javon Hargrave

Hargrave will enter free agency as a sought-after defensive starter. He's likely to get $12-14 million offers on the open market, a price range Pittsburgh shouldn't consider paying. He picked up 60 tackles and four sacks in his 2019 campaign, but he simply doesn't warrant that type of price tag, at least not for a team pinching pennies like the Steelers will be this offseason.

2. Tyler Matakevich, LB

Matakevich is one of the best special teams player in the NFL, leading the league in special teams tackles with 16 in 2019. Some team looking to shore up the linebacker room with an experienced special teams asset will surely be interested in Matakevich, which could end up pricing the Steelers out, who would likely prioritize re-signing other members of the team. The Steelers simply won't have to money to keep him with all the other pieces they need to bring back.

1. OL B.J. Finney

This one will probably hurt Steelers fans the most. Finney has started 13 games for the team and they are 11-2 in those outings. With his ability to protect the ball, some organization will offer him a big contract in order to help upgrade their offensive line. It will be a tough decision for the Steelers, but they don't have a big enough role for him to fill to justify a big payday for Finney in Pittsburgh.