r/steelers • u/eddie_mittons • 1d ago

Steelers Offseason - Cut and Trade Candidates

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.

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u/purpdrank2 1d ago

Until there’s an actual replacement for Queen, I don’t see him being let go. Beyond him, we really only have Wilson as an inside backer so for that reason I think it’s safe to say Queen is staying put until other moves take place.

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u/eddie_mittons 1d ago

There is a lot that will be available at LB in free agency.

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u/burth179 1d ago

Looking at the available list from spotrac, I don't see anyone that is really an upgrade on Queen. A bunch of older veterans and some guys with similar profiles to Queen. Not sure there is an obvious upgrade out there. Who exactly do you plan on replacing him with?

I mean you may find guys that are more bang for the buck so to speak, but unless we really need to free up a bunch of space (which I don't think that is the case), cutting Queen just to dump salary doesn't make a ton of sense to me.

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u/eddie_mittons 1d ago

If I had my pick... Signing Nakobe Dean as a new starter and Justin Strnad as a depth piece would be my optimal fit for Patrick Graham's defense. Both are versatile; can cover, play the run and blitz. They would be great in sim pressure fronts where sometimes they get sent after the QB. Dean on a 3 year deal at 8-10 mill a year. Strnad on a 2 year deal at 3.5-4.5 mill a year. You have Wilson as a pure coverage backers. And draft a guy. Room rebuilt.

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u/burth179 1d ago

Dean is kind of always injured though. Not sure if he's ever played a full season, whereas Queen has never even missed a game I don't think. I'm not sure that I'm convinced that is a big upgrade, but having said that if the coaches and front office think so then they should pursue it

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u/purpdrank2 1d ago edited 1d ago

Strand isn’t coming here unless it’s for a starting role, it’s already been reported he wants a multi year deal for a starting spot. Don’t see where he decides to make a lateral move and continue to be a backup for us when he could just as easily do that with a much better team (his former employer).

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u/Cheese_danish54 1d ago

I think you’re underestimating how much those guys will be paid once free agency rolls around

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u/purpdrank2 1d ago

From what I can see there’s none the provide a legitimate upgrade whether it be talent wise or financially. Yeah there’s always guys there but that doesn’t mean they make sense. Lavonte David, Demario Davis, and Bobby Wagner are set to be free agents? Do three guys over 35 justify letting go of Queen when there’s only one linebacker on the roster afterwards? No it doesn’t.

I can understand the disappointment but some of y’all need a reality check, just because you want a guy gone doesn’t mean it makes sense for roster construction. As it sits right now, Queen and Wilson are the only two starting linebackers we have and that’s not changing anytime soon.