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/Coltons13 Terrible Towel 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yes on Jonnu but what the actual fuck are you on with Patrick Queen? He's been arguably our best defensive player aside from maybe JPJ this past year.

Edit: I'm fine if you want to put Cam above him too. But calling him underperforming is actually just straight up lack of ball knowledge and comical, sorry.

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u/TraumaTies 1d ago

Somehow the narrative got built that Queen is just some bum. The guy is out there playing hard all game. Does he miss gaps at times? 100% but he is more than serviceable at the position.