The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a very unique spot with their current roster. After an ugly first two seasons for Kenny Pickett, the Steelers went out and got Russell Wilson and Justin Fields for peanuts. Pittsburgh only has to pay a couple million dollars to have those two for 2024, leaving some space in the cap. The Steelers have about $15 million freed up currently, and with their weak receiving core, most fans hope the front office spends that money on a wideout via trade.
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Quarterbacks Justin Fields (#2) and Russell Wilson (#3) during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 OTAs.
On the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's most recent episode of North Shore Drive, hosts Chris Carter and Brian Batko went over the Steelers' cap situation. A big point of emphasis from both Carter and Batko was how the Steelers are going to approach this season. Batko points out that most good general managers in the NFL try to project the outlook of their teams and plan for the future, rather than operate on a week-to-week or year-to-year basis.
Obviously Pittsburgh is ready to win now, and trading for a big name receiver and spending some money would certainly help those odds. On the flip side, Batko suggests the Steelers passing on a trade to save their cash and put it towards the 2025 offseason. Carter states that according to Overthecap.com, Pittsburgh will have about $77 million available next summer. If the Steelers roll over their additional $15 million, they could be sitting with nearly $90 or $100 million.
On the downside, players with expiring contracts before the 2025 season include Cam Heyward, James Daniels, Donte Jackson, Najee Harris, Elandon Roberts, Pat Freiermuth, and their two quarterbacks. Pittsburgh will have some big decisions to make on where to spend money, but we can expect some of these guys to sign elsewhere.
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Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and Art Rooney II at training camp.
The Steelers currently have the highest paid defense in the NFL, while having the second lowest paid offense. Some money will have to start being invested into the offense at some point, but that will most likely wait until 2025 when they have to give a quarterback a larger contract and if Harris or Freiermuth are re-signed. Batko gave his reasoning behind rolling the cap into next season by explaining the quarterback dilemma.
"I think this could make sense for the Steelers because it's very difficult to tell what they're going to be in 2024 because of the quarterback position," Batko said. "You don't really know what you're gonna get from Russell Wilson. You can look at the stat lines from Denver and talk yourself into him being really good for this team, helping them win a playoff game or two. I don't know that even the most glass half full fans are expecting them to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders, but maybe Wilson gives you enough you can build on, and you'll want him for his age 36-37 season. Well, you're not gonna get him on this unprecedented vet minimum deal, you're gonna have to pony up for him at that point. If it's Justin Fields who ends up taking the reigns and plays well, you'll have to do the same thing and he's even younger. Depending on how well he would play, you're going to need to open the safe."
The Pittsburgh insider continues on about the real chance that the Steelers will need to find a new quarterback entirely after this season, given the possibility that neither of the quarterbacks perform well. Both Wilson and Fields come into Pittsburgh with a lot of skepticism and doubt from the football community after playing some rough seasons recently.
"And the third possibility, which is a very real one, is that neither one of these guys proves to be your long-term starting quarterback, or even your 2025 starting quarterback. So then what do you do? Do you go back to the table in the draft and try to right your wrongs from the Kenny Pickett pick, or do you have to go to the open market and say, 'Alright, we're gonna have to pay one of these free agents,' like the Falcons did this year with Kirk Cousins, like a team might do next year with Dak Prescott. There's just so much that's unknown and I think having the financial wherewithal or at least more than you'd have otherwise if you try to spend the cap this year, could benefit this team in what could be a crucial 2025."
Unless the Steelers start from scratch again and draft a quarterback as their starter, they are going to have to spend money on a QB in 2025. Pittsburgh's new offense with Arthur Smith will rely on the rushing attack, so they could live without adding another receiver and saving money.
Steelers Have A Long List Of Free Agents In 2025; Who Will Be Back?
Daniels is the most likely to be gone. As the offensive guard market has exploded, he will be able to earn a big contract that the Steelers just cannot afford. The team drafted Mason McCormick this past April, who could come in as a starter in 2025 if he develops nicely during his rookie season. Heyward is a name that's on the fence, and it could go either way. His spot on the Steelers' 2025 roster will have to be earned after a tough 2023 season filled with injuries.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (right) and tight end Pat Freiermuth (left).
Harris and Freiermuth could ultimately turn into two of the Steelers' top offensive weapons in Smith's offense. Pittsburgh declined Harris' fifth-year option, which raised a bunch of eyebrows in the Steel City. It's hard to imagine they don't bring both of these guys back in 2025, unless Harris regresses and Jaylen Warren breaks out. Roberts' future with the Steelers could be in trouble if rookie Payton Wilson turns into a stud. Though, Roberts had a great 2023 season, and another good season in 2024 could earn him another contract.
What do you think? Should the Steelers roll their current cap space for 2025? Or should they make that big trade for a wideout that everyone is waiting for? Let us know in the comments.
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