Steelers Fans Receive A Warning To Expect More Surprising Cap Casualties On The Way

The prominent Pittsburgh Steelers decision-makers are convening this week at their facility on the South Side to develop a team outline for 2025. This will include many early decisions, like which quarterback they want to try to keep, what free agents they want to target now, and which they are willing to risk losing. All of this is in preparation for the NFL Combine, which kicks off at the end of February. 

While at the combine, general managers and coaches are known to engage in preliminary conversations about potential trades. It would be too early for anything to be official, but they can gauge possibilities. However, they must make tough decisions over the next several weeks. 

They have already started that process with their first cut of the season, outside linebacker Preston Smith. The move surprised absolutely no one. Most insiders expected this would happen when they traded for him in 2024 because he came with a huge cap hit. But this has led to fans wondering if more are coming and who's next? Some players like Larry Ogunjobi and Cole Holcomb seem likely to be released to save money. 

Gerry Dulac, longtime Steelers reporter from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, said he believes Ogunjobi could be cut in his popular chat column. He added they might wait a bit, just in case the draft and free don't go well. When asked if more cuts were coming, he acknowledged there would be. 

"I'm sure there will be," affirmed Dulac.

Ogunjobi is currently a $10 million cap hit and by cutting him, they can save about $7 million. This decision is made easier by the fact that Ogunjobi hasn't produced at the expected level. He was coming off multiple double-digit tackles for a loss, and quarterback hits in his first five years when they signed him in 2022.  

Holcomb is in a different situation, one that anyone with a heart hates to see. However, football is still a business, even if Pittsburgh does better than most teams at displaying compassion in similar situations. After signing a three-year contract in 2023, Holcomb suffered a devasting knee injury in Week 9 and hasn't been able to play since. If the Steelers keep him, they will owe him $6 million. He was off to a great start in 2023, racking up 54 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and two quarterback hits in eight games. 

Finally cleared to start practicing at the end of December, his future in football is still uncertain. If the Steelers believe that Holcomb will play again, they may offer him a reduced contract or ask him to waive his $2 million roster bonus. However, with the addition of Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, having Holcomb return, especially if he is not 100%, doesn't feel as critical. 

Steelers Need To Be Careful Not To Trim Too Much

Pittsburgh has to walk a tightrope with this defensive line and be careful not to cut too close to the bone. If they let Ogunjobi go, it will just be another spot they must fill on a team already fraught with needs. While Cameron Heyward was named an All-Pro in 2024 after being harassed on social media about how he was too old to keep playing, Father Time will catch him eventually. Heyward's injury in 2023 showed the world just how vulnerable that line is without him. 

While Keeanu Benton has shown promise, the jury is still out on whether he can take over for Heyward at some point. If they let Ogunjobi go, they run critically short on depth. They will likely need to draft a defensive lineman and find a veteran in free agency. 

Who do you think are the most likely cap casualties for the Steelers? Tell us what you think below! 

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