Steelers Have Cap Space to Spend-But Don’t Expect a Free Agency Spending Spree
For the second straight offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a position many teams would envy: plenty of cap space and flexibility. With roughly $45 million currently available, according to Over the Cap, Pittsburgh ranks comfortably inside the league’s top ten in available funds.
And that number could grow. With a few expected roster moves-think Jonnu Smith potentially being released, or other veterans like Jalen Ramsey possibly being moved-the Steelers could clear another $20 million without breaking much of a sweat.
So, on paper, Pittsburgh looks like a team primed to make noise when free agency opens.
But here's the catch: just because you can spend big, doesn’t mean you will-or even should.
The Cap Room Mirage
Yes, the Steelers have cap room. But a significant chunk of that space is already spoken for. When you zoom in on where the money is likely to go, the picture becomes a lot clearer-and a lot less splashy.
Start with the quarterback position. Unless Pittsburgh rolls into 2026 with a rookie under center or hands the reins to Will Howard, they’ll need to invest in a veteran.
Aaron Rodgers remains the most likely candidate to return, and while his deal last year came at a team-friendly price, it still carved out a sizable chunk of the cap. Expect a similar one-year deal this offseason-one that could eat up nearly a third of the available space.
So before the Steelers even hit the open market, they could be down to around $30 million in usable cap space. And that’s before we factor in extensions.
Paying for the Past (and the Future)
One of the “problems” with drafting well is eventually having to pay those players. And Pittsburgh’s 2023 draft class was a home run-top to bottom. Now those rookie deals are coming due, and the front office will have to start making decisions.
Joey Porter Jr. is the headliner here. He’s developed into a cornerstone cornerback and is likely in line for a top-five payday at his position. That kind of deal doesn’t come cheap, and while the Steelers could structure the extension to minimize the immediate cap hit, there’s still going to be a noticeable dent.
Behind him, there’s a trio of rising talents in Keeanu Benton, Darnell Washington, and Nick Herbig. All three are extension candidates, and it wouldn’t be surprising if at least one-or even all-ink new deals before Week 1. Each contract chips away at that cap cushion.
And then there’s Chris Boswell. While kickers don’t usually command headlines, Boswell has been one of the league’s most consistent weapons.
A new deal could make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL. The silver lining?
His 2026 cap number might not move much, or could even drop slightly depending on how the deal is structured.
So, What Does This Mean for Free Agency?
In short: temper expectations.
Yes, Pittsburgh has money. Yes, they’ll make moves.
But this isn’t shaping up to be an offseason where the Steelers throw around blockbuster contracts to land big-name free agents. The reality is much more measured-and arguably more responsible.
The team’s focus appears to be on retaining and rewarding its own talent, stabilizing the quarterback position (again), and maintaining long-term cap health. That’s not the flashiest approach, but it’s often the smartest one.
So if you’re a Steelers fan dreaming of a headline-grabbing free agency haul, you might want to hold off on those jersey pre-orders. This offseason is likely to be more about strategic re-signings and internal investments than splashy outside additions.
And honestly, that’s not a bad place to be.