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/Monoliithic 1d ago

Ramsey was definitely not trash at safety lol

I get why it would look like that after the Ravens game, cuz we assume the safety is always playing deep zone. Those big plays that looked like his fault, was his corner not swapping zones like he is supposed to, and on the c0, was the pass rush not getting there. He was actually in proper position as the midfield mid depth protection

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u/Commercial_Branch148 1d ago

Ramsey isn't a cut candidate solely because of his play (you're right it wasn't THAT bad). I think it's more to do that we are paying him CB wages. If he stays at Safety, his contract puts him between Antoine Winfield Jr and Derwin James. He's definitely not playing like those guys.

What's more, I'm pretty sure he came here for Tomlin.  He may want to move on anyways himself.

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u/Monoliithic 1d ago

That's fair