A problem that the Steelers face now is choosing between Kelvin Beachum and Ramon Foster, who are expected to hit free agency unless a new deal is reached before Monday. These two linemen have a lot of ups and downs to take into consideration when answering the question of who the Steelers should give a new deal to. Beachum has impressed many for being the smallest left tackle in the league, but after him and the team could not agree on a contract extension before the 2015 season it's no hiding that he wants to get paid. Foster may be older, but his size and experience with the teams makes him a very valuable asset to the team ... and for the right price.
After Beachum's injury Alejandro Villanueva was a solid backup that will only get better. Unfortunately with the salary cap situation that the Steelers face every year, the best option is to part ways with Kelvin and re-sign veteran Ramon Foster. Who would you re-sign if you could only pick one?
Well as of now it looks like Beachum is still unsigned, and the Steelers re-signed Ramon Foster a few days ago to a multi-year deal. That doesn't necessarily mean that Beachum is out in Pittsburgh; when healthy, he has done a very serviceable job of holding down the left tackle position. However, after his injury last season and the surprising emergence of Alejandro Villanueva at left tackle, I would be surprised if Pittsburgh shelled out big bucks to bring back Beachum. While I will be disappointed to see him go (I prefer him to Foster, given their age and production recently) but I feel that the Steelers will be well off with Villanueva bolstering the left side of the line.
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