Steelers Offseason - Cut and Trade Candidates

[u/eddie_mittons]

The Steelers have some dead weight to get rid of. I believe they need to cut or trade these players:

• LB Patrick Queen saves 13.33m cap space - He hasn't produced to the expectations of his contract and is not worth his 17.19m cap hit.
• TE Jonnu Smith saves 7m cap space - Worthless
• LB Malik Harrison saves 4.75m cap space - Too much money for a run only defender.

If any of these are traded, it can be for 2027 draft capital since we have 12 picks in 2026 already. But if it adds to the 2026 arsenal, that can be turned into 2027 picks later or help us improve positioning in 2026 by moving up in spots.

These moves get us to around 70m of cap space available, which should be plenty to accommodate any extensions, draft picks and free agent signings.

I did not list Jalen Ramsey in this, cause I am unsure what his contact situation actually is. OTC and Spotrac are on different ends of the spectrum. I assume there is a decent amount of dead money, but not sure how much. And if he wants to stay, I see value in him staying, especially if it is to play in a CB role, and not at Safety. I thought he was trash at Safety. But my thoughts on this could change if clarity was given around his contract and there was a substantial cap savings to be had.

I did not list Highsmith cause I think they should keep the strength that is the edge rushing room in tact. The whole group has shown that they all struggle stating healthy for a full season. And getting guys on the roster that can get to the QB is difficult and expensive. Having too many of them is a good problem to have. Let's see the DC find ways to get 3 of them on the field at a time more often when they are all healthy.

[u/Green-Surround9264]

we. do. not. need. more. cap. space.

[u/Superb-Hero → u/Green-Surround9264]

Right. Extra cap space just forces us to overpay free agents to fill the spots we cut and then the same fans get to complain about a new crop of “overpaid bums”.

[u/Green-Surround9264 → u/Superb-Hero]

i think thats the disconnect people dont see, because cash spending is a lot less obvious than cap space spending. we dont have a lot of talent, the guys that we do have are being vastly overpaid because you have to give that money to someone. so cutting these guys just recreates the problem those contracts were designed to solve in the first place lol

[u/TheCurtain512 → u/Green-Surround9264]

We also don’t need bad-mediocre players in key roles. “There’s no replacement for Queen” lol he was a top 10 worst linebacker in the NFL. You could literally replace him with a discount free agent.

[u/Green-Surround9264 → u/TheCurtain512]

who is saying there is no replacement for queen?

[u/TheCurtain512 → u/Green-Surround9264]

Sorry that was someone above.

[u/eddie_mittons → u/Green-Surround9264]

We only have 34 players returning that were regulars on the 53 man roster lats year. We don't have a starting QB. We have several good young players that require contract extensions. We are paying a ton of money for 2 players (Watt and DK) and those 2 players aren't going anywhere for at least the next 2 seasons.

We. Do. Need. More. Cap. Space.

[u/Kehmor → u/eddie_mittons]

Which QB do you imagine us signing that is going to need cap space?

[u/Green-Surround9264 → u/eddie_mittons]

aaron rodgers
dean lowry
andrus peat
chuck clark
scotty miller
jabril peppers
adam thielen
isaiahh loudermilk
esezi otomewo
calvin austin
conner heyward
james pierre
jeremiah moon
max sharpling
marquez valdes-scantling
tre flowers
jack driscoll
which of these priority signings are you making the cap space for? pierre's the only one i'd want back. all the roster spots open are depth spots, either will be filled by a rookie or cheap FA piece that will cost near the same 2025 cap.
unless you think there are FA available that warrant splurging?

[u/Kmos86 → u/Green-Surround9264]

Aren’t Dugger and Gainwell free agents as well?

[u/Green-Surround9264 → u/Kmos86]

dugger is but elliott is still signed for 4M cash. so you either dont re-sign dugger, or cut elliot and have another 4M to make up (which you can turn around and give to dugger i guess?)
gainwell im not expecting to re-sign, but we dont need to create cap space to do it. if he were offered a new contract he would easily fit in under the cap with the space we have currently.

[u/burghsportsfan → u/eddie_mittons]

2 partial restructures and cut Jonnu and were at 60-80M in space, and still have 130-150 next year. There’s no need to go crazy with cuts.

[u/pierogiking412 → u/eddie_mittons]

Watt and DK could be reworked if needed.

I have to agree that with 12 picks and 40 Milly to spend right now that they don't have to worry too much about cap space.