4 Free Agents the Steelers Need to Target This Offseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost stars Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell last offseason, which resulted in most folks assuming the team would struggle in 2019.

That was far from the case, as they entered Week 17 with a shot to earn a Wild Card spot. Despite falling short with and ending the year with an 8-8 record, the Steelers have a strong chance to bounce back in 2020. The team has a little bit over $1 million in cap space as of this writing, but they can create some room with restructuring of contracts and roster cuts.

Here are four players on the open market the Steelers must pursue.

4. DT Gerald McCoy

The Steelers need a disruptor on the defensive line. Look no further than Gerald McCoy. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

While the linebacker corps is set, the defensive line can use a bit of work. The Steelers are likely to lose Javon Hargrave to free agency, and it could cost too much to retain him. Pittsburgh can respond by bringing in veterans on shorter and cheaper deals, including the likes of Gerald McCoy. Even in a relatively down year with the Panthers, McCoy still managed to accumulate five sacks, which is solid for a defensive tackle. The Steelers would be wise to add him to their already impressive defense.

3. WR Robby Anderson

The Steelers need an explosive receiver alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster. Robby Anderson fits the bill / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

While moving on from Antonio Brown proved to be a wise move for the Steelers, the team's wideouts struggled without him. JuJu Smith-Schuster failed to produce at the levels we'd seen from him in the previous two seasons, and rookie Diontae Johnson looks more like a third option than a WR2. Well, one talented wideout set to hit the open market is Robby Anderson, who is the epitome of a deep-threat receiver. Bringing him to the Steel City would allow Smith-Schuster to line up in the slot, where he thrived in his first two seasons. This could be an extremely good get for Kevin Colbert and Co.

2. TE Austin Hooper

Vance McDonald isn't cutting it at tight end. Austin Hooper is an immediate and obvious upgrade. / Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The Steelers need a tight end, as Vance McDonald and his massive cap hit isn't cutting it anymore. While they could opt to select one in the NFL Draft, a rookie tight end likely won't match the skill set of Austin Hooper. With the Atlanta Falcons this past season, Hooper recorded 75 catches for 757 yards and six touchdowns. That production would help the Steelers offense thrive like in years past.

1. QB Teddy Bridgewater

The Steelers need to prepare for life without Ben Roethlisberger. Teddy Bridgewater can be that guy. / Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

The Steelers need to address life after Ben Roethlisberger. If this past year showed us anything, it's that Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges are not the answer -- at least not yet. Obviously, the Steelers don't have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, which they could've used to select their signal caller of the future. Luckily for them, they can address it in free agency by signing Teddy Bridgewater. In 2019, Bridgewater stepped up in relief of Drew Brees, and mastered the New Orleans Saints' complicated offense. Perhaps he can apply some of that magic in Pittsburgh.