By Logan Leslie
SteelerNation.com
A lot of fans seem to forget that football is a business, and in a business, employees come and go (especially in the NFL). As the season winds down, we have decided to predict who is staying and who's going from the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers. This article will outline who is likely to return to the team next season.
1. OLB - Bud Dupree
By far the most productive player on this list is Bud Dupree, who has come into his own this year. He will be an unrestricted free agent following the season and a very sought after player on the open market. Dupree has made it clear he would love to return to Pittsburgh next season but with cap space expected to be tight, the team may not be able to afford him. Ultimately, we believe Colbert will be able to move some money around and resign him to return next year opposite T.J. Watt.
2. QB - Mason Rudolph
Steelers will likely bring back Mason Rudolph as the back up QB. They have shown in years past with Landry Jones and Bruce Gradkowski they like to keep a back up who knows the system well, even if the talent is nothing special. Despite a few flashes, Rudolph has proven this season he is not the QB of the future. Rudolph has shown very little pocket presence, poor mobility and a pop gun arm on a majority of his throws.
3. OL - B.J. Finney
The offensive line is one of the strongest assets the Steelers will carry into the 2020 season. However, one of the most expensive lineman (and outside of Ben Roethlisberger), one of the oldest players on the team is OL Ramon Foster. It is possible the team attempts to move or cut Foster to save cap room and resign Dupree. Finney has shown to be a more than capable lineman and would be much cheaper than Foster.
4. TE - Nick Vannett
Vannett is the prototypical number two tight end. He is a solid blocker and can catch passes when needed. I don't believe the Steelers will over pay for Vannett but he would be a quality role player to hold onto.
5. OC - Randy Fitchner
Although many people are not a fan of Randy, he is Big Ben's guy and as long as Ben is the QB of this team, I believe Fitchner will remain the OC. Even though Ben has conveyed his desire to return, should he not be able to, Randy has shown this season he struggles to call plays for a young QB. The play calls have been much too conservative and there has been far too many attempts to run the wildcat. Overall, he has been terrible with Rudolph and Devlin "Duck" Hodges. In the unlikely scenario Roethlisberger retires, Fitchner is likely gone.
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