The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very productive offseason in 2026 as the organization has improved several weak areas of the roster, while also taking care of pressing contractual business. The 2023 draft class has performed very well for the franchise, and now those players are eligible for extensions. Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington have already signed their new deals, while players like Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton are still waiting to come to terms on a deal. These extensions will obviously fill up some of the balance sheet in future years, which has had some fans speculating about how much the Steelers will have left to work with.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Owner Art Rooney II (right) on the field at a team practice while having a discussion.
General managers in the NFL usually fall into one of two categories: cap space gurus or scouting experts. Omar Khan is great with numbers and the financial side of things, while Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl is hands-on with the scouting. Khan has great foresight when giving out contracts, and that should continue into the future. However, Pittsburgh does have some moves at their disposal if the organization eventually needs to clear up some space on the books.
Beat writer Christopher Carter mentioned the possibility of releasing Jalen Ramsey after the 2026 season when asked about creating room for all incoming extensions during a mailbag for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"The Steelers definitely have to move some money around if they plan to sign both Porter and Benton, but it's doable," Carter said. "Jalen Ramsey is a $21.7M cap hit in 2027 that can completely come off the books with him being released or traded. If he doesn't have a star-like season, that's an easy move to open up space. After that, you're probably looking at restructures and moving another veteran or two."
Ramsey is entering his second season with the Steelers, and he is certainly nearing the end of his great career in the NFL. He made the switch from cornerback to safety during the 2025 season, and he is expected to play more safety in 2026 while also serving as a slot corner. He is under contract in Pittsburgh through the 2028 season, but it seems unlikely that the contract gets finished out with the Steelers.
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Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey (5) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
After the 2026 season is complete, Ramsey will have $45.7 million left on his deal over the final two years of the contract. None of that money is guaranteed, and all of that money would be saved if the organization were to release or trade the veteran defender. He is going to have to turn in an extremely good season in 2026 for the franchise to even consider keeping him around at that price. It seems like a no-brainer to move on from Ramsey after the season ends. By doing this the organization would be prioritizing the younger talent within the organization while getting a huge contract off of the books.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. arrives for the 2026 offseason workouts with teammate Jaquan Brisker.
Steelers Can Shift Focus To Younger Safety
A reason for moving on from Ramsey would include a new contract for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and another person to consider would be Jaquan Brisker. Pittsburgh signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal during free agency in 2026, and the consensus was that this deal is a bargain for the Steelers. Brisker is a native of Pittsburgh, and he has played well throughout the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears. If he continues to improve, the Steelers could look to release or trade Ramsey while re-signing Brisker to a longer deal. He is younger and is a natural safety, and he may be more willing to take less money due to his background in Western Pennsylvania.
What do you think about the Steelers moving on from Ramsey in the near future? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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