Pittsburgh is happy right now as it enters the bye week with its favorite team sitting with a 6-2 record. Now, it gets to enjoy the week off without the Steelers causing any sort of stress for a weekend. Even though fans might not have anxiety this weekend, some members of the football club could be worried. Those pending free agents after the season need to earn a new contract.
It has become common practice for the Steelers to discuss contract extensions during the preseason, or after the schedule is complete. For those players who are currently playing on expiring contracts, they must earn their next payday. They need to increase their production if they want an extension offer from the black and gold. Otherwise, they could lose money and be forced to relocate.
James Daniels
Before James Daniels suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4, many thought he would leave the Steelers in free agency anyhow. Mason McCormick has only added fuel to those flames as the rookie has performed masterfully since taking over for Daniels at right guard. He has been one of the better offensive linemen for Pittsburgh during his time with the team, but Daniels will end up elsewhere.
Scotty Miller
Everyone has been begging the Steelers to add an upgrade at receiver, and that is because players like Scotty Miller haven't stepped up. No one should have expected much from Miller, but he continues to trend downward after a solid first couple of weeks of the campaign. He is an experienced veteran guy, but there is currently no reason to bring him back next season for the black and gold.
Isaiahh Loudermilk
Now is time for Isaiahh Loudermilk to either produce or it might be time for the Steelers to move on. Loudermilk hasn't developed like many thought he might when Pittsburgh traded up in the 2021 NFL Draft to take him in the fifth round. He has become a solid run defender as a whole, but he provides little beyond that. They want to get younger on the defensive line, and Loudermilk shouldn't be in their plans.
Najee Harris
The running back has been on a tear recently, but Najee Harris won't be back with the Steelers next season barring a bad market for him in free agency. He has shown glimpses of brilliance over the past three weeks, but Pittsburgh's offense looks different with Russell Wilson at the helm. Running backs are easy to replace so paying Harris big money makes little sense. Unless he comes back for cheap, the Steelers will move on.
Van Jefferson
Expectations should have been low, but Van Jefferson has been mostly invisible in the Steelers offense for most of the season. His numbers have picked up some with Wilson at quarterback, but he needs to be better down the stretch. His lack of quality performances is what keeps the trade rumor fires growing bigger by the day. Unless he has a strong finish to the year, Jefferson will not get a contract extension with Pittsburgh.
