Lanschaften » The Pittsburgh Steelers had an active offseason

JuJu Smith-Schuster Jersey , and there are clearly winners and losers as they head into training camp." Latest NewsFeatures and Long FormWinners and Losers from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 offseasonNew,21commentsThe Pittsburgh Steelers had an active offseason, and there are clearly winners and losers as they head into training camp.EDTWhile the 2019 NFL offseason isn’t officially over yet, it is coming to its close. With that, it is time to look back from the end of the 2018 season to the current day and see who could be labeled as a ‘Winner’ or ‘Loser’ throughout this time span.Check out who falls into which category, and why...WinnersBen Roethlisberger Big Ben was the beneficiary of a brand new contract this offseason, and when you hit a huge pay day like Roethlisberger did, you have to find yourself on a winner list. Some might argue Roethlisberger not giving the team any type of hometown discount might not have him on this list, but when you lock up your franchise quarterback it is never a bad thing.Devin Bush Getting drafted in the NFL is a tremendous feat. Getting drafted in the first round of the draft shows your athletic prowess. If there is one scenario which might trump the other two it would be when a team trades up to draft you. A team covets your skill set enough to trade any number of capital away just to get you on their team. This is exactly what happened with the Steelers and Bush, which puts Bush on the clear-cut winners list.Donte Moncrief Moncrief finds himself on the winner list just because of the quarterback now throwing him passes. Think about being drafted by the Colts and catching passes from Andrew Luck. Then, after Luck gets injured, you have to settle for Curtis Painter and Jacoby Brissett. Top it off with going to the Jaguars and having to catch passes from Blake Bortles. Needless to say, Moncrief getting to work with Big Ben has him on the winner list.Offensive Line While the offensive line did lose their coach, they kept continuity across the board. Signing both Ramon Foster and Maurkice Pouncey kept continuity across the line, albeit while losing Marcus Gilbert via trade to the Cardinals. This group should be one of the best in the league for another season.Mike TomlinTomlin had to deal with an incredible amount of drama the past few seasons, and while he is certainly to blame for some of that drama T. J. Watt Jersey , having his locker room back has to be a huge plus for the long-tenured coach. Steelers Fans It isn’t the best for website traffic, but black-and-gold fans have to be excited about the fact this offseason went off without a hitch. Since Le’Veon Bell left via free agency, and Antonio Brown forced his way out of the organization, it has been a drama-free offseason. Such a weird, but great, change of pace.LosersArtie Burns The former first round draft pick did not have his 5th year option picked up by the Steelers, meaning he is set to become a free agent after this upcoming season. On top of that, Burns doens’t seem like he is even a lock to make the team’s 53-man roster. From first round pick to having to fight for a roster spot is the epitome of a fall from grace.Tyler MatakevichMatakevich is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the future doesn’t look all too bright for ‘Dirty Red’. The Steelers brought in Mark Barron in free agency, drafted Devin Bush in the first round and added Ulysees Gilbert later in the 2019 NFL Draft. They are bolstering the position not only for this year, but possibly for the future. If that is the case, it might be the end of the road for Matakevich in Pittsburgh.Chris Boswell Boswell was due a hefty signing bonus before the start of the new league year, but the Steelers told Boswell the bonus won’t be coming until the end of the preseason. In other words, if you can’t make the necessary kicks in the preseason, you will be let go without the signing bonus. Talk about pressure for a kicker who struggled throughout the entire 2018 season. LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree is relaxed entering his contract season.The 2015 first-round pick knows he has a contract with the Steelers for this season. His future with the Steelers after that is in question Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey , but Dupree said on Sunday that he doesn’t mind the uncertainty.“I’d rather just be like this right now,” Dupree said. “I’m going to go out, do my thing, help the team and not be selfish even though it’s a contract year. I have to make sure I’m doing things that are beneficial to the unit as a whole and keep playing to the best of my ability.”The Steelers picked up Dupree’s fifth-year option, guaranteeing a $9.2 million salary this season. But he only has 20 sacks in 54 games through four seasons after he was drafted to rush the passer.Dupree, who had 5½ sacks last season, said that he “loves the organization” and he can see himself in Pittsburgh beyond the 2019 season, but he’s not focused on a long-term deal at this point.“I don’t even ask my agent because I just want to go out and play to the best of my ability and have my best year yet,” Dupree said. “I’m going to do my best for them and whatever happens, happens.”Dupree isn’t strictly a pass rusher with the Steelers, as he is also asked to drop into coverage. He said that’s not lost on defensive coordinator Keith Butler and coach Mike Tomlin, particularly in a contract year when sacks and production can help him earn a large contract.“Everyone understands what’s at stake for me on a personal level,” Dupree said.Dupree has also paid attention to the free-agent contracts signed this past offseason by edge rushers, including former Kentucky teammate Za’Darius Smith, who received a four-year, $66 million deal with Green Bay in March.“It’s fun Mason Rudolph Jersey ,” Dupree said. “That just puts more fire up under you to go out and have a great year. Guys are having their best years in their contract year. Confidence is key with yourself and within your team.”Dupree entered his fifth training camp with the Steelers confident and a lean 260 pounds. He’s also healthy, too. Dupree suffered a torn pectoral muscle at Denver in November, but still finished the regular season, playing in the final five games, and registering one sack, as the Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013.“It kind of messed with me, but it was crunch time,” Dupree said.Dupree expects to be a significant part of the Steelers defense, which is expected to make a big jump to offset the loss of All-Pros Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell on offense. He set a career high six sacks in 2017, part of a defense that set a franchise record and led the NFL with 56 sacks that season.Another big season could help the Steelers again and also translate into a big payday. But Dupree isn’t worried about his contract status now.“My biggest thing is just making the plays out there,” Dupree said. “They see everything I do, they see the progression I’m making. It’s on me to make sure I finish and make the big plays that I need to make.”