Can we really afford to....

[pittpete]

Maybe we wont need Ben back next year

[NJ-STEELER]

Before Tuitt was injured, that was definitely right. He was playing 50% or less. I haven't seen a snap count, but it seemed like Hargrave and Heyward were getting the bulk of the snaps against the Rams. I'd be surprised if he wasn't closer to 70% in that game.

just read one of the beat writers on twitter say he did play more. and heyward barely missed any snaps.

writer was worried about the stamina of the D with the short turn around playing thursday night

[Steel Maniac]

Maybe we wont need Ben back next year

woooooow!! Let's let the young man continue to develop first.

[SteelerMaine83]

I think keeping Dupree or will be tough, even if we can free up some cap room. Both could very well be guys that are signed in those first few days of FA, which means they’ll get silly big contracts (and there are lots of teams with lots of cap room). With that assumption, we’ll have holes to fill to keep our defense tough.
In keeping with the recent front office strategy, we’ll fill Bud and Javons positions with inexpensive FA and the draft, like Barron/Bush and Moncrief/Johnson, hedging our bets.
I think we could be looking at a Fackrell/Weaver for Buds spot and a Pennel/Fotu combo for Javons. We’ll create the cap space by moving on from Barron (I know, he just had his best game) , Chickillo and Foster. (Maybe even Tuitt-I love him but he can’t stay healthy).

[ikestops85]

just read one of the beat writers on twitter say he did play more. and heyward barely missed any snaps.

writer was worried about the stamina of the D with the short turn around playing thursday night

For the last 2 weeks Hargrave was just shy of 73% of the snaps. Heyward was almost 90% against the Rams and about 79% against the Colts.

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...nap-counts.htm

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

For the last 2 weeks Hargrave was just shy of 73% of the snaps. Heyward was almost 90% against the Rams and about 79% against the Colts.

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...nap-counts.htm

Looking at these numbers, who is the Steelers D front 7 player with the most snaps played this season?

Dupree 584
Watt 557
Bush 548
Heyward 494
Barron 463
Hargrave 353
Tuitt 278
Alualu 219
Vince 193

[D Rock]

Easy solution...
Cut VW, Chik and Foster..... Done!!!! 15 million a year salary right there

You beat me to it, at least in general concept.

I was thinking Barron and Chick will go, each saving a bit over 5M.

Give Dupree and Hargrave that money with back loaded contracts. Gotta keep starters over backups or time shares.

Ben is then gone after 2021, opening up big $ for this next era of team leaders to get laid.

[hawaiiansteel]

Ben is then gone after 2021, opening up big $ for this next era of team leaders to get laid.

well, that would be a great benefit...

[Steel Maniac]

well, that would be a great benefit...

Hahaha...that's called a "perk"

[NorthCoast]

NFL just released the 2020 cap and it came in pretty much where expected (~$200M).
The Steelers need to restructure Tuitt, Decastro, and maybe Haden. Otherwise this defense will look very different next season.