The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering one of the most pivotal off-seasons in franchise history. Mike Tomlin is out. Mike McCarthy is in. And in this new era, the Steelers actually have some financial flexibility to work with. The 2026 NFL salary cap has been officially set at $301.2 million—the first time it’s crossed the $300 million threshold. And the Steelers? They’re sitting pretty with projected cap space somewhere between $38.8 million and $44.9 million, putting them in the top 10 in the league heading into free agency.
That’s a lot of ammunition for a team that desperately needs to retool on the fly. Now, we see where the Steelers stand, who might be on the chopping block, and what positions they need to address as Mike McCarthy tries to build this roster in this new Steelers era.
Salary Cap Health
For years, the Steelers have been a team that operated close to the cap ceiling, making surgical moves to stay competitive while rarely having the flexibility to swing for the fences in free agency. That changes now. According to Over The Cap, the Steelers are projected to carry over nearly $17 million from the 2025 season. Combined with the increased cap ceiling, they’re looking at significant spending power. Here’s the breakdown:
- Projected Cap Space: $38.8M – $44.9M
- Effective Usable Space: ~$18.1M (after accounting for draft class, practice squad, in-season buffer)
- Carryover from 2025: ~$17M
General Manager Omar Khan has said the team is in “good cap shape” and won’t need to make cuts purely for financial reasons. That’s huge. It means every roster decision can be made based on talent and fit rather than necessity.
But just because they can keep everyone doesn’t mean they should.
Cap Casualties: Who’s Out Or the Block?
Even with healthy cap space, there are several players whose contracts don’t match their production. Multiple reports have identified potential cap casualties, and the math makes sense for a few of them:
Jonnu Smith (TE) — Most Likely Cut
This one felt inevitable, as Arthur Smith is out as OC. Releasing Smith saves $7 million in cap space, and his production simply hasn’t justified the investment. Plus they have Darnell Washington & Pat Friermuth who are better players at this point in time.
Patrick Queen (LB) — Possible But Unlikely
Queen’s name has come up because cutting him would save $13.3 million. That’s significant money. But Khan has publicly stated the team wants to keep him, and with the linebacker room needing veteran leadership under a new defensive coordinator, moving on seems unlikely unless they get a trade offer they can’t refuse.
Jalen Ramsey (DB) — Complicated
Ramsey’s contract is a monster, and a pre-June 1 cut doesn’t offer much savings. However, a post-June 1 designation could clear $19.5 million. Given his age and the team’s need to get younger in the secondary, this is one to watch—but it’s more likely a 2027 conversation than a 2026 one.
Malik Harrison (LB) — Depth Casualty
Releasing Harrison saves $4.75 million. He’s a rotational player at best, and with the team needing to allocate resources elsewhere, he’s a logical cap casualty candidate to part ways with.
The Mike McCarthy Effect
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Mike McCarthy is the new head coach, and he’s bringing an entirely different offensive philosophy to Pittsburgh. After years of watching the Steelers run a conservative, ground-and-pound offense that often felt stuck in the previous decade, McCarthy’s arrival at least brings Steelers fans an offensive minded head coach. Expect to see:
- West Coast principles: Quick passing game, timing routes, getting the ball out fast
- Pre-snap motion: Something the Steelers barely used under the previous regime
- Improved route combinations: More creativity in how they attack defenses
McCarthy will also serve as the offensive play-caller, which means he’s putting his fingerprints all over this unit. He’s brought in a coaching staff filled with guys he’s worked with before in Green Bay and Dallas, including Offensive Coordinator Brian Angelichio and Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham. This is a full reset. And they are going to partner with Omar Khan to build this roster to their liking.
Omar Khan when asked about #Steelers DB Jalen Ramsey:
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) February 24, 2026
“He’s got versatility … I know the new coaching staff is excited to work with him. I can’t say enough about what he did for us … he switched positions. He’s one of the most unselfish football players I’ve been around.” pic.twitter.com/Q6caGqH91x
Isaac Seumalo enters the offseason as one of the Steelers’ biggest contract questions — a 32‑year‑old Pro Bowl level guard who’s started 44 games in three seasons, ranked 27th on ESPN’s Top‑100 free agents, and projected by Spotrac to earn $9.6M per year, slightly above his… pic.twitter.com/gIXRM1Ufnv
— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 (@steelcityundrgr) March 5, 2026
The Quarterback Situation
Here we go again. It is becoming a yearly question hanging over the entire offseason: who’s playing quarterback? Aaron Rodgers played for the Steelers in 2025, and there’s obvious appeal in bringing him back for a reunion with McCarthy. The two won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay, and Rodgers knows McCarthy’s system inside and out, but that was 15 years ago. Rodgers isn’t getting any younger, and the Steelers draft strategy does have some dependencies on this decision. The smart play might be to bring Rodgers back as a bridge while developing a young quarterback. In a perfect world of course. McCarthy has shown he can develop talent— and working with veterans such as Rodgers, and Dak Prescott.
Now, who would they like to bring in with Will Howard? Will there be one or two new faces in the Quarterback room. Mason Rudolph seems to be the odd man out as cutting him would save around $3 million in cap space. If the Steelers aren’t looking to trade up in the draft for a franchise QB, they’ll probably apply a short-term patch like Rodgers or Kyler Murray and bet they can find a development project in the mid-rounds, while continuing their QB succession efforts.
Positions of Need: The Shopping List
So where do the Steelers need to invest? Multiple analysts have broken down the priorities:
Wide Receiver — Top Priority
The receiver room is thin beyond Metcalf and that is excusing the fact that his first season in Pittsburgh had a pretty sour conclusion. Those two games he was suspended, the lack of depth at the position was pitiful. This is a position where the team needs to “double-dip”—targeting a high-end prospect early in the draft while also adding a veteran contributor in free agency. McCarthy’s offense requires reliable pass-catchers, and the current group isn’t deep enough.
Offensive Line — Left Guard Mainly
Isaac Seumalo is hitting free agency, which leaves a massive hole at left guard. The team will likely target a Day 2 draft pick for a long-term solution. Depending on Broderick Jones’ injury status, offensive tackle could also be in play.
Interior Defensive Line — Youth Needed
Cam Heyward is still productive, but he’s getting older. The Steelers need to start planning for life after him, which means finding a young interior presence. Drafting Derrick Harmon in round 1 last year was a step in the right direction as he aided a rush defense that struggled at times.
Secondary — Both Safety & Corner
The Steelers are in desperate need of a reliable outside corner to pair opposite of Joey Porter Jr. With that being said, free agency hasn’t been the preferred route for finding an immediate, plug-and-play starter at this position. Some of the names over the past few seasons have been Donte Jackson, James Pierre & Asante Samuel Jr. Not sustainable long-term solutions. There are also some moving parts in the cornerback room. Jalen Ramsey is currently on the roster, and was utilized primarily as a safety rather than a true outside corner. Because the team wants to build a young, sustainable core in the secondary, the draft is the most likely avenue for finding Porter Jr.’s long-term running mate.
The safety room is currently in a state of flux. DeShon Elliott is recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered in Week 8 of the 2025 season, and several depth pieces like Kyle Dugger, Chuck Clark, and Jabrill Peppers are heading toward free agency. Fortunately, the 2026 safety draft class is incredibly deep, and the Steelers have been doing their homework. They have held formal and informal meetings with several top safety prospects at the NFL Combine. Here are a few names to watch, particularly for an early Day 2 pick (or even late Day 1).
The Pressure is On
The Steelers are at a crossroads, but it’s the good kind. They have a new head coach with a proven track record, significant cap space to play with, and clear areas of need that can be addressed through multiple avenues. The formula is straightforward:
- Make smart cuts (Smith, Harrison) to free up additional space
- Be aggressive in pursuing high-impact trade targets
- Address receiver and offensive line in both free agency and the draft
- Figure out the quarterback situation—whether that’s Rodgers coming back or making a move for someone like Murray
- Inject youth into the defensive line and secondary
Mike McCarthy didn’t take this job to rebuild. He took it to win. And for the first time in a long time, the Steelers have the resources to give him what he needs. The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in franchise history. The moves made in the next few months will determine whether this team is a legitimate contender or stuck in the middle of the pack. No pressure, Omar.
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