Vance McDonald had a dismal season in 2019 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and he realizes he has to correct his mistakes in 2020. After missing the playoffs, McDonald feels he took steps in the wrong direction last season.

“I think I took some steps backwards unfortunately as a player,” McDonald said, via the team’s website. “I don’t even need a coach to give me criticism because I have too much of it already. I think of it as having almost that edge in 2018, being known for having that play with the stiff arm, the run after whenever I would have a reception. I didn’t have as many of those. It makes me want to attack this offseason and next season that much harder.”

Just two years ago, McDonald flourished in Pittsburgh's offense in his second season with the Steelers. The former second-round pick would record a career-high 50 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns in 2018. As McDonald noted, one of those touchdowns came in the form of an impressive run after the catch, involving him stiff-arming Chris Conte.

On the other hand, 2019 didn't include any notable plays from the Rice product. In his third season with the Steelers, McDonald finished with only 38 receptions, 273 yards, and three touchdowns. Following his downtrodden outing in 2019, Pittsburgh has a club option on McDonald's contract.

If the Steelers release McDonald, they could create $5.6 million while incurring a $1.4 million dead-cap penalty. Considering his injury history, Pittsburgh could choose to part ways with him. While it's possible they release him to get more cap space, they likely will hope he can return to his 2018 form next season.

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