Tag: 2021 STeelers free agents

Steelers sign restricted free agent Ray-Ray McCloud

The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud.

Per a source of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud.

The Steelers signed McCloud after the Carolina Panthers released him on his birthday, Oct. 15, 2019.

McCloud took over punt returns from wide receiver Dionte Johnson when he struggled to maintain control of the ball. Ray-Ray ended the season with 298 yards in punt returns and 646 in kick returns. Though close to taking one to the house, his longest was 57 yards (punt returns) and 49 yards (kick returns).

Though a small sample size, McCloud shouldn’t be discounted as a depth receiver. He contributed 77 yards on 20 receptions and three first downs for a 91 percent catch rate. He also added four rushing attempts for 65 yards and a first down.

Steelers Wire ranked McCloud second among 2021 restricted free agents. The speediness he showcases on returns and his ability as a weapon on offense are talents Pittsburgh needs.

The Steelers are still an estimated $5 million over the $185.5 million salary cap as of Wednesday. After the McCloud signing, 20 pending free agents remain for the new league year on March 17.

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Who is the Steelers top 2021 free agent priority?

The Steelers have a long list of free agents coming up next season.

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With very little salary cap space to work with, the Pittsburgh Steelers are not going to be able to prioritize a few contract extensions this offseason for their top free agents for 2021. This means multiple premier players could be vying for a precious contract or two if they want to stay in Pittsburgh.

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If you could only sign one in-house free agent you could bring back, who would it be?

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Looking at the list of guys who could be gone after this season, it really puts emphasis on how important it is for the Steelers to win this season. We could see a huge overhaul of the roster next offseason if these guys aren’t willing to come back to the Steelers on a hometown discount.

Case your vote and tell us which player you would sign above any others.

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Will he stay or will he go? Options for Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is scheduled to hit free agency in March.

There has been a lot of debate among fans about whether the Steelers should let wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster walk in 2021 free agency or sign him to a long-term extension.

It’s never been a question of talent. We all know the caliber of player Smith-Schuster can be (169 receptions for 2,343 yards in two seasons). 2019 was a subpar season for the receiver (42 receptions for 552 yards), mainly due to the lack of quarterback talent and injuries. When he was in the game, he seemed uncomfortable playing on the outside — struggling with drops and gaining separation from defenders.

Typically, the Steelers have negotiated contracts the season before free agency. I’m not so sure that happens with Smith-Schuster. I believe the team will want to see if he can step up production to deem himself worthy of a hefty extension.

“It was a tough season to evaluate with the different quarterbacks and some of JuJu’s injuries so it’s a tough season to evaluate from a lot of different standpoints,” Art Rooney II said in January, via PennLive.com. “Obviously we still think highly of JuJu and still think he’s going to be an outstanding player in the league moving forward and we will address the contract situation when it’s appropriate.”

Should Smith-Schuster rebound in 2020, his salary demands could price him out of what the Steelers are willing and able to pay.

Here are the options Smith-Schuster will contend with in January.

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New CBA could pay off big for the Steelers in 2021

Several Steelers 2021 free agents could cash in thanks to the new CBA.

NFL fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief. On Sunday, the NFLPA voted to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement, meaning big changes to the league starting in 2020. We will dig more into those changes and how they impact the Pittsburgh Steelers over the next week.

But the most interesting part of all this is how it will impact the Steelers 2021 free agents. Typically the Steelers try to get a few priority free agents signed the year before they hit free agency. But this offseason there is little money to work with.

However, if the free agents are patient, a big bump in the salary cap in 2021 will really pay off for them. The 2020 salary cap is going to be $198 million but some estimate the extra regular-season game and expanded playoffs could mean a number closer to $240 million.

This means guys like edge T.J. Watt and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could seriously cash in after one more season. It also means other teams will have even more to spend in that 2021 offseason if players want to leave.

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