The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Friday a mere $9.57 million under the 2024 NFL salary cap. General manager Omar Khan knew that he needed to cut some salaries ahead of the new league year opening next week. That’s especially true if Pittsburgh is going to be players in NFL free agency.
Khan responded by releasing eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson and veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson. The two moves save a much-needed $16.9 million in cap room.
While Pittsburgh will certainly be looking to restructure some contracts, this gives the team some wriggle room with the legal free agency tampering period starting on Monday.
For a team that has not won a playoff game since all the way back in 2017, the pressure is squarely on the powers that be in Pittsburgh. What will the Steelers do with this new salary cap room? Will they look to create even more of an ability to make splashes during free agency?
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Look for Pittsburgh Steelers to restructure some contracts
Typically, having an estimated $26 million in cap room is decent. But this is not a typical offseason around the NFL. With the increase in the cap and taking into account player releases from other teams, Pittsburgh still ranks a mere 18th in cap room.
Look for Khan and Co. to change this in the coming days. Restructuring the contracts of T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith would save another $25 million. Remember, the Steelers did this with Cameron Heyward earlier in the offseason. Having $51 million in cap room would change the dynamics heading into free agency.
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly going to make shocking quarterback decision this offseason
Pittsburgh Steelers meeting with Russell Wilson
As of publication of this article, Pittsburgh’s brass was meeting with the recently-released Russell Wilson. It comes after the Super Bowl-winning signal caller was released by the Denver Broncos earlier in the offseason.
Wilson is an interesting option in that he’s likely prepared to take a veteran minimum deal. Denver is paying him north of $35 million for the 2024 season. For Wilson, it’s going to be more about finding the right spot than cashing in.
The Steelers’ brass continues to say all the right things about current QB1 Kenny Pickett. But given his lack of success (13 TD, 13 INT) in two seasons, it makes sense to kick the tires on other options.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is also meeting with former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse after the team released Mason Cole earlier in the offseason.