Steelers' 2027 Cap Issues Are Easy To Solve With Veteran All-Pro Destined To Be Cut

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not stayed away from spending throughout the 2026 offseason. Key members of the 2023 NFL Draft class have been extended, and the biggest contract to be handed out has yet to be agreed upon; that is, assuming Joey Porter Jr. and the front office can find common ground before September. The organization, at one point, had a fair amount of cap space to work with, but that number has plummeted to just over $3 million. General Manager Omar Khan will make it work for 2026, as he always does; however, there could be challenges in 2027.

The Steelers are also going to have to worry about extensions for contributors like Payton Wilson, Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier next offseason. There could be a way to slightly avoid giving Fautanu the massive deal, as his fifth-year option could be picked up. Regardless, a lot of money still needs to be dished out and there are going to have to be some strategies deployed to work through the financial ramifications.

The overall cap number should rise, which is what teams have become accustomed to. Overall, Pittsburgh will still need to get creative, particularly if Porter's deal is north of $25 million per year. Looking ahead, the franchise has an option that could be easily decided upon once the offseason rolls around. A former All-Pro is currently 32 years of age and his 2026 campaign will determine if he continues to play out his current contract with the Steelers.

Just about 365 days ago, Khan made a blockbuster deal in the middle of the summer to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Now, he is expected to operate somewhat in the slot, with him working in at safety being in play as well. The three-time All-Pro is surrounded by younger athletes who may not have his wisdom, but certainly possess speed.

Pittsburgh has the ability to cut or trade Ramsey pre- or post-June 1, and that gives the team plenty of options. The team could part ways with him shortly after the season ends, but no matter when that might happen, the Steelers will incur $0 in dead cap, while saving $21.7 million. Overall, it seems inevitable that the veteran will be playing his final year in the Steel City. That is, unless he returns to All-Pro form.

The NFL is a business and while Ramsey is a respected member of the locker room who will look to perform at a higher level in 2026, it's hard to imagine that the Steelers can justify keeping him around in 2027 due to what the cap situation could look like. He made some big plays in his first campaign with Pittsburgh, but those might not be enough to keep him around for much longer.

The franchise will have plenty of time to figure out who could replace Ramsey on the defense, and it may even be someone who is already on the team. For the first time in a while — as long as Porter is on the roster — the depth chart is relatively deep in the secondary. It's going to be very difficult for the Steelers to justify paying someone who will be 33 years of age roughly $22 million, especially if he leaves any doubt in the minds of the front office members and coaches.

Steelers Could Essentially Transfer Ramsey's Big Cap Hit To Porter

While it won't be perfect apples to apples, Porter's presumed extension won't be much for Pittsburgh to take on in 2026. It could get a little more complicated once 2027 rolls around. This is why it will make sense to wave goodbye to Ramsey. This theoretical plan could all come to an abrupt halt if Ramsey performs a lot better than expected, but his deal is an easy one to get out of if the Steelers need to.

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