TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The Steelers lost one free agent, wide receiver Nate Washington, and will not try to sign another, tackle Marvel Smith. They franchised tackle Max Starks, tendered tackle Willie Colon (first-round pick/tender signed) and cornerback Anthony Madison (first refusal, no picks in return). They re-signed starting left guard Chris Kemoeatu and fullback-tight end Sean McHugh, who had been a restricted free agent. They released veteran guard Kendall Simmons, who failed their physical after tearing an Achilles tendon in the fourth game of the season.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Offensive linemen: While they kept Starks, Kemoeatu and tendered Colon, they have little depth and no one to push their starters. Resigning UFA Trai Essex, who can play tackle and guard, would help.

2. Defensive linemen: They have good players, better than most, but they're also getting old. Five of their top six defensive linemen are over 30.

3. Wide receivers: Losing UFA Nate Washington to the Titans means they have two experienced players at the position, Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward, who turns 33 in March. Limas Sweed, who played little as a rookie, moves up to No. 3.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: OT Max Starks: Tendered at $8.451M; signed tender Feb. 23.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--QB Charlie Batch wants to return as Ben Roethlisberger's backup. The team wants him back.

--P Mitch Berger punted poorly and will not receive an offer because Daniel Sepulveda will return from injury.

--CB Fernando Bryant was signed for depth during the season, his 10th, and likely will not re-sign.

--OT Trai Essex served as the top backup at tackle and guard and will likely return.

--LB Keyaron Fox was a valuable special teams player they would like to re-sign.

--LB Andre Frazier played mostly on special teams and would be a low priority.

--QB Byron Leftwich did a nice job and is now ready to compete somewhere else to start.

--DE Orpheus Roye completed his 13th season by mainly being inactive on game day and he likely will not be re-signed.

--OT Marvel Smith, their longtime starter on the left side, played only the first five games and then had his second back surgery in one calendar year. He is seeing if there is a market for his services.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)

--TE Jon Dekker (not tendered as ERFA) was on injured reserve.

--LB Arnold Harrison (not tendered as RFA) was on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--CB Anthony Madison (tendered at $1.01M with no compensation) was one of their best special teams players.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--G Jeremy Parquet was a backup who played little.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--OT Willie Colon: RFA; $2.198M/1 yr. --FB Carey Davis: ERFA; terms unknown.

--OG Chris Kemoeatu: UFA; $20M/5 yrs, $3.885M SB/$6M guaranteed.

--TE/FB Sean McHugh; RFA; (tendered at $1.01M with seventh-round pick as compensation); $2.57M/3 yrs, $390,000 SB.

--OT Max Starks: FFA; $8.451M/1 yr.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--RB Stefan Logan: FA CFL; terms unknown.

--WR Brandon Williams: FA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--LB Mike Humpal (released/failed physical).

--CB Bryant McFadden: UFA Cardinals; $10M/2 yrs, $1M RB.

--OG Kendall Simmons (released/failed physical).

--S Anthony Smith: Not tendered as RFA
--WR Nate Washington: UFA Titans; terms unknown.