3 things the retirement of Vance McDonald means for the Steelers
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that tight end Vance McDonald was retiring after eight NFL seasons. McDonald spent his first four years with the San Francisco 49ers and the final four with the Steelers.
What does McDonald’s retirement mean for the team? Here are three things to consider.
Over $5 million in salary cap savings
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
McDonald's retirement will save the Steelers $5.2 million against the 2021 salary cap. The Steelers have a ton of free-agent decisions to make and every penny counts.
This won't impact the NFL draft at all
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
If the Steelers didn't have tight end as a top NFL draft need prior to McDonald's retirement, this won't change it. I look for the Steelers to look at Zach Gentry as the new blocking tight end and maybe commit a late-round pick to another developmental prospect.
It might mean a shift in philosophy
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
We don't know who the Steelers new offensive coordinator is going to be but there is a chance the retirement of McDonald could prompt Pittsburgh to use this as a jumping-off point for a new-look offense. Whether that means using the tight end position more as a receiver or simply utilizing fewer multiple tight end sets remains to be seen.
