What's Next For Steelers After Season's Disappointing End

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Steelers have many questions to answer after their season ended Sunday with a 28-10 drubbing by the Baltimore Ravens, who didn't even play star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Can Ben Roethlisberger fully recover from his season-ending elbow injury? With neither Mason Rudolph or Duck Hodges distinguishing themselves who will the backup quarterback be? Is James Conner too injury prone to be counted on as the starting running back?

Those answers will unfold gradually. For now, here's a look ahead toward next season:

The 2020 schedule

Next year's schedule was finalized Sunday, with the Denver Broncos sliding in instead of the Oakland Raiders, who are moving to Las Vegas. Here are the teams the Steelers will face; dates and times will be announced in April.

Home
Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
Washington Redskins
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Philadelphia Eagles
Denver Broncos

Away
Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
New York Giants
Jacksonville Jaguars
Dallas Cowboys
Buffalo Bills
Tennessee Titans

Free agents

The Steelers will have difficult decisions to make regarding some of their unrestricted free agents, most notably linebacker Bud Dupree. He'll be looking for a large payday after putting together his best season by far. Other unrestricted free agents include guard B.J. Finney, safety Sean Davis, cornerback Artie Burns, defensive tackle Justin Hargrave, tight end Nick Vannett and linebacker Tylert Matakevich.

The NFL draft

For the first time since 1967, the Steelers will not have a first-round selection, having traded it to the Miami Dolphins for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in September. Although the trade was criticized at first, the Steelers 8-8 record gives the Dolphins the Steelers 18th selection in the first round - seemingly a bargain for someone of Fitzpatrick's skills. The Steelers also will be without a fifth-round selection, having dealt that away to Seattle for tight end Nick Vannett, who is now a free agent.

As for who the Steelers might select with their first pick in the draft in the second round, NFLmocks.com believes the team might target Wake Forest defensive end Carlos Basham Jr. as a potential replacement for Dupree.