What a season it was for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They started 11-0 and had an easy schedule for their last five games. However, it was anything but that for the Steelers as they finished with a 12-4 record after starting 11-0. That’s not good. However, it’s time to put last season’s failure behind and look to next season. The Steelers can’t get comfortable in the AFC North anymore. With Cleveland looking like they finally figured it out it’s a three way race for the AFC North crown. But, what exactly should the Steelers do in order to once again be division champs?

Free agency

This is Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert. Just like every other GM in the NFL, Colbert is responsible to put together a Super Bowl winning roster. However, it’s won’t be easy in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are currently in the red when it come’s to cap space. To be exact, they are $15,517,911 in the hole. So, expect some cap casualties coming this week in Pittsburgh. Colbert will have to make some tough decisions, but if this team want’s to improve Colbert has to let go of some of the guys with big contracts. Plus, brining back Big Ben was a mistake for cap reasons. So far, the Steelers are off to a rough start this offseason.

Center

Assuming Kevin Colbert figures it out, the first free agent he should go after is Ted Karras. Karras just spent the last season in Miami after spending his first four years in New England. Pittsburgh only has one center on the roster after the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey. Their current center, J.C. Hassenauer has only made one career start. So yes, Pittsburgh is in dire need of a center. Karras for the most part is dependable at the center position. Yes he had a quiet year in Miami, but before in New England, he was well known. Karras fits the mold for being a starting center in Pittsburgh.

This is just a name to keep an eye on for cap reasons. Again, with Pittsburgh being in a terrible cap position, their only option might be to go after the guys who are cheap. Austin Reiter is one of those guys. Reiter knows what it takes to protect a quarterback since he had to protect Patrick Mahomes. Reiter also will becoming from a winning organization that is coming off of back to back Super Bowl appearances (winning one of those appearances). He’ll be able to protect Big Ben in what will most likely be Ben’s final season.

Linebacker

The Steelers have five linebackers that are scheduled to be free agents including Bud Dupree who the Steelers won’t place the franchise tag on. There will be a gaping hole to fix at that position. Yes, they have TJ Watt, but he can’t do it all. Reggie Ragland is someone who Pittsburgh can comfortably afford and he is someone who can produce. Ragland isn’t talked about much since he spent last season in Detroit. He had 49 total tackles, and one sack. He’ll be someone who can help Pittsburgh have a top defense.

Pittsburgh needs to bring back Robert Spillane. Spillane knows the system and he continues to improve his skill set. Yes, he hasn’t played a full season yet, but Spillane is a diamond in the rough kind of player. With Dupree Pittsburgh needs someone who can help lead the defense other than Watt. Spillane will be that leader. Last season, Spillane had 45 total tackles, two sacks and one interception. He’s not someone like TJ Watt but when someone on defense needs to step up and make a play, Spillane will be that guy.

Defensive end

Patriots fans won’t like the look of this. But, Steelers fans will. Deatrich Wise is someone Pittsburgh needs on the defensive line. Wise had 49 total tackles, and 2.5 sacks. Wise continues to develop his game and is improving every season. He also won’t be requiring a massive contract either. Having Watt and Wise on the same side of the ball, could be a matchup nightmare of offensive lines. Wise will have a field day with the young quarterbacks in Cleveland and Cincinnati which is something Pittsburgh needs on the defensive side of the ball, someone who can cause havoc in the divisional games (and against all other teams as well).

Trades?

No. With the Steelers current cap situation there is zero chance any trade happens except for during the draft where Pittsburgh could swap picks with another team.

Draft

Jalen Mayfield should be available when Pittsburgh picks at 24 in the first round. The Steelers need help at the offensive line position. Mayfield should help out since he was one of the better offensive linemen in the Big Ten last season. With the cap situation in Pittsburgh its unlikely they can bring in veteran help so the Steelers should look to the draft to help out with the offensive line.

Final thoughts

Pittsburgh has a lot of work to do if they want to repeat as AFC North champions. Cleveland and Baltimore are expected to challenge the Steelers and don’t forget about Cincinnati (who is still a few years away from being a threat). If Pittsburgh can figure out how to solve their cap situation they will make moves in free agency and fans should expect these positions to be the main focus of the free agency period for the Steelers. If Pittsburgh can have a smooth offseason, expect them to be right back in the thick of things next season as they will try to send Big Ben out as a Super Bowl champion.

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-Matt Burnett (@mattthew_jordan on Twitter)