Steelers' String Of Big Extensions All But Guarantee 1 All-Pro Won't Be In Pittsburgh Much Longer

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan isn't messing around when it comes to the first ever NFL Draft class he was responsible for as the team's front office leader. Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington received some financial security well before 2026 training camp began, and the latest domino fell on Friday night. Keeanu Benton, who is a former second-round selection, inked a massive four-year $72 million deal. Drafting and developing has always been something that the organization has prided itself on, and the most recent load of cash given up proves that even further. Now, there is really just one more to find common ground on.

Joey Porter Jr. had to see the news of Benton's extension and be happy for his teammate. However, there is no doubt that the cornerback could start to be feeling a little concerned about where he stands in terms of the Steelers' long-term plans.

Pittsburgh would be foolish not to give Porter a sizable deal, especially because the front office as a whole has not done a great job of finding top talent at his position throughout the years. The Steelers finally have a guy who can shut down an opposing receiver all by himself, and there has to be some value found in that. If and when it gets done, the roster will have a very nice core for years to come.

One individual who could very well be playing his final season in the Steel City is a jack-of-all-trades defender who has a very large cap hit for the 2027 campaign. When the Steelers extend players like Benton, the financial implications really come into play a year later, so Jalen Ramsey's contract almost makes no sense to keep on the books after 2026.

Pittsburgh is already looking light when it comes to cap space in 2027, and the defensive lineman's new deal hasn't even been applied to Over The Cap's data just yet. For Ramsey, he is responsible for over $21 million, with a potential of having one of over $40 million in 2028. At 31 years of age, he is not getting any younger and it appears to already be in the plans to move on from him before free agency kicks off in March.

Releasing or trading Ramsey, whether it is pre- or post-June 1st, currently projects as getting the Steelers $21.7 million in cap relief. When looking at the deals for Herbig, Washington, Benton and possibly Porter, the very first person who will likely be looking for a new team in 2027 is Ramsey. It makes almost no sense to keep him around unless the contract can be reworked or he has a top-of-the-line season in 2026.

Ramsey is a three-time All-Pro who still has the mind and tools to compete at the professional level. While he did, at times, look a bit slower in 2025, he should be a pivotal contributor for the Steelers' defense in what could be his final year in the Steel City. Additionally, he has been battling a mysterious knee injury that landed him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. No one is even quite sure when he will be ready to put on the pads and suit up for Pittsburgh.

Steelers Do Have The Best Guy For The Job Regarding Cap Creativity

Khan has always been known as a financial wizard. Pittsburgh's general manager has people around him to help evaluate talent, but where he really excels is making the dollars and cents work. The extensions would not be getting handed out unless there was a legitimate plan in place to be compliant in 2027 and the future. Ramsey being cut saves the Steelers $21.7 million next year, so it almost seems like it is a no-brainer and destined to happen at this point in time.

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