Steelers' Max Starks 'not expecting to be back'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have endured a disappointing season that will come to an end on Sunday at home against the Cleveland Browns.

With disappointment inevitably comes change, something that Steelers fans are bracing for as the hard times of winter set in. One player who could be on his way out of town is offensive tackle Max Starks, a man who has been a mainstay for Pittsburgh in recent years.

According to timesonline.com, Starks doesn't expect to be back in the black and gold come training camp next year, as Pittsburgh will likely look to reshuffle the offensive line.

"Anytime you draft tackles in the second round in back-to-back years, I think it’s their plan to have them as the starting left and right tackles in the future. That’s their goal. So being a realist, I am not expecting to be back."

When asked if Starks would be willing to take a backup role with the Steelers or elsewhere, he stated that hasn't really entered his mind as a possibility. Per the timesonline.com article:

"I am not a backup yet. I don’t see myself in a backup role. I still have a couple more years in me before I even consider that role. The competitive fire is still there. I am starter capable. I feel that I have value somewhere."

Starks feels he played respectably this season despite a few bumps in the road, something that should certainly help him land a job elsewhere should he move on:

"I thought I played pretty well. Obviously, I gave up three-and-a-half sacks on the year that I wish I wouldn’t have given up. Not bad. But I could have done better."