The Steelers seem to sense they have a unique window with two top-shelf playmakers in their prime, along with Martavis Bryant if he returns from suspension without issues. Keeping Bell and Brown surrounding Ben Roethlisberger for the next three years is an easy decision, assuming the money isn’t absurd. Both players want to be here. And the wide receiver market is clear-cut, with four players clustered in the $15 million-per-year range. The Steelers can come in just around or below that with most of the guaranteed money tied to the first few years, leaving an escape door if Brown declines in his early 30s.

Bell probably will become the league’s highest-paid back once the Vikings address Adrian Peterson’s enormous contract. The team can use the franchise tag as a placeholder, then work into the summer on a deal that works for both sides.

Early March moves: The three-day window to negotiate with unrestricted free agents begins March 6. Contracts can be finalized starting 4 p.m. ET on March 9. As a build-through-the-draft team, the Steelers often don’t spend exorbitant money in the first week. But last year’s decision to sign tight end Ladarius Green to a four-year, $20-million deal reminds the team feels it’s close to a seventh Super Bowl. If the Steelers see a piece they like, don’t be surprised by an aggressive move once again.

Is there finally clarity on the secondary? The 37-16 loss to the Patriots in the AFC title game was humbling for the Steelers’ secondary, but it’s not indicative of the pass coverage over the past year. Progress was made. Rookies Artie Burns and Sean Davis acquitted themselves well, while veterans Ross Cockrell and Mike Mitchell were consistent players. Still, this team might be one good press-man corner away. Though the team isn’t expected to spend big on Trumaine Johnson or A.J. Bouye, a good second-tier option could be available. Perhaps Morris Claiborne’s length would be attractive to Pittsburgh, though he also might command too steep a price.

Hard decisions loom on contracts: Convincing Timmons and James Harrison to take low-level money after productive seasons will be a hard sell regardless of age. But those negotiations will take place before free agency. The Steelers also must be forward-thinking with left tackle Alejandro Villanueva and defensive end Stephon Tuitt. Both are unrestricted free agents in 2018, with Villanueva an exclusive rights free agent this year. That exclusive rights tender would pay around $600,000-plus, a small number for a 31-game starter on a very good line. Considering Villanueva’s age (28), perhaps both sides could work out a reasonable extension now.

On the draft trail: Coach Mike Tomlin loves the draft process — working out players, talking with coaches, getting to know prospects on a personal level. Expect Tomlin to be an active participant in the high-profile (and some low-profile) pro days. The staff and personnel department will disperse on a mission to comb for talent, as usual. The Steelers are considered one of the best teams in the NFL at this.

Bargain-bin shopping: Every year, veteran players are available on low-cost, high-impact deals in the early or later waves of free agency. Two years ago, the Steelers signed DeAngelo Williams to a two-year, $4 million deal. He gave them 17 regular-season touchdowns in return. Last season, Ricardo Mathews turned a low-end, one-year contract into 14 tackles and five starts. If the Steelers feel they have a need based on what they see in offseason workouts, they’ll summon reinforcements.

Anthony Fasano, Tennessee: This would be a stop-gap option, but likely one that would come at a very reasonable value. Fasano turns 33 in April and isn’t considered a standout receiver, but he is a good blocking tight end and has shown in the past he can be somewhat of a threat in the red zone. If Detroit wanted to pick up a blocking tight end on a short-term deal while drafting someone to develop behind him, Fasano could be an intriguing target.

Mychal Rivera, Oakland: He doesn’t have huge numbers, but if the Lions commit to Ebron, Rivera would be able to come in and have a role behind him. He’s also younger, not turning 27 until September. His numbers have never stood out and he’s not the red zone threat some other players on the market are, but if the Lions are looking for low- to mid-level options at the position, he could be a player worth investigating.

Three combine rookies to consider:

Michael Roberts, Toledo: If the Lions want to go the developmental route at the position, Roberts could be a fit. He has the body at 6-foot-4, 261 pounds to be a good blocker and would be a good complement to Ebron as a tight end who mostly plays on the line instead of split out, like Ebron typically does. His college stats aren’t impressive — 70 catches for 832 yards — but he has 22 career touchdowns, including 16 last season. He’s a legitimate red zone threat.

Adam Shaheen, Ashland: He is an intriguing player. He started his career as a Division II basketball player at Pitt-Johnstown before transferring to Ashland and has impressive size at 6-foot-6, 277 pounds. He actually left school with a year of eligibility remaining, which is almost unheard of on the Division II level. He had 70 catches for 803 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015 and followed it up with 57 catches for 867 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. How he runs and looks in drills at the combine could put him in really good position come draft time. But the measurable numbers and receiving abilities are clearly there.

“I mean, it’s definitely a great story and ending, I guess you could say,” Jackson told Schefter of a possible return. “Starting your career somewhere and you go to a division rival and possibly maybe going back. You think about all that, you start somewhere and maybe you want to finish it. There’s a lot of speculation of a lot of thoughts. It all sounds good, but you never know until the final decision is made.”

But he does like Wentz.

“He killed it,” Jackson said. “He had a heck of a year. He showed he can do it all. He has the intangibles of being a big-time quarterback.”

But Jackson’s foray into free agency in 2014 was forced after the Eagles cut him. It led to numerous questions and much speculation about off-field issues. Jackson, though he would often miss volunteer workout sessions in the offseason with Washington, stayed out of trouble.

“I sit back and laugh about it,” Jackson said of the Eagles’ release. “I felt I was at the top of my game; I was blossoming. To be set back like that … that made me a little more humble. I came out and thought I’d be a first-round pick and I slipped to the second round. That motivated me my whole five, six, seven years in the league and then you have something like that happen. It re-motivated me and re-triggered a situation like, this is really a business. You have to hold yourself accountable and watch who you’re hanging around and watch what you post on Instagram. You’re just being a young guy, having fun and you work so hard to get blessed with money and accolades, but then you have the opportunity to sit back and reality kicks in. This happened, so how do you regain everyone’s attention.”

He did that with his speed. Jackson certainly didn’t appear to have lost a step this past season, when he averaged 17.9 yards per catch. He finished with four 100-yard games in his last six outings. He also told Schefter he could still run a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.

That’s why he said he’s not ready for a switch to the slot. Someday? Yes — maybe.

“I’m not ready for that now,” he said. “I still feel I can play outside and play at a high level. Maybe if it ever comes to a point where you do lose a step [but] you have guys like Darrell Green who never lost a step. Hopefully I can stay at that level and keep all my speed.”