The winds of change are finally blowing through Pittsburgh. After years of hovering in the NFL’s middle tier, the Steelers are staring down an offseason that could reshape the franchise. With Mike Tomlin stepping away, a new era is underway - and it might come with some tough, but necessary, decisions.
The Steelers are projected to have just under $39 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com. That’s a decent cushion, but not exactly a war chest when you consider the roster holes and potential moves ahead. If Pittsburgh wants to make meaningful upgrades through free agency or trades, they’ll need to clear more room - and that means some familiar names could be on the chopping block.
Let’s break down five players who could become cap casualties this offseason - not because they aren’t talented, but because the numbers, age, and production just don’t line up anymore.
Cam Heyward, DT - Cap Savings: $14.25 million
This one would sting. Cam Heyward is the heart and soul of the Steelers' defense - a team captain, a community leader, and a player who’s been the face of the franchise’s identity for over a decade. But football is a business, and the business side is getting harder to ignore.
Heyward will be 37 next season and is coming off a year where injuries slowed him down. He’s still a respected voice in the locker room, but he’s also due for another contract - and the Steelers can’t afford to keep handing out deals based on past performance. Cutting him would free up over $14 million in cap space, a number that’s hard to ignore for a team looking to get younger and faster in the trenches.
It wouldn’t be a popular move, but with Tomlin gone and a new direction taking shape, Heyward’s future in Pittsburgh is anything but certain. Whether he retires, signs elsewhere, or takes a reduced role, the Steelers are preparing for life after one of their greats.
Patrick Queen, LB - Cap Savings: $13.33 million
The Steelers made an uncharacteristic splash when they signed Patrick Queen before the 2024 season, hoping to solidify the middle of their defense with a proven playmaker from a division rival. But the results have been mixed.
Queen has shown flashes - the speed, the range, the ability to blow up plays in the backfield - but consistency has been an issue. And when you’re commanding north of $13 million per year, inconsistency isn’t going to cut it.
With rookie Payton Wilson showing real promise as the season progressed, the Steelers may decide Queen is expendable. Cutting him would save a significant chunk of change, and while it wouldn’t be an easy call, it might be the right one if they believe Wilson is ready to take the reins.
Jonnu Smith, TE - Cap Savings: $7 million
The lone offensive player on this list, Jonnu Smith just never found his footing in Pittsburgh. Acquired in a trade earlier this year, Smith was supposed to add another dimension to the passing game. Instead, he’s been mostly invisible - a tight end without a defined role in an offense that struggled to find rhythm all season.
With Darnell Washington emerging and Pat Freiermuth still in the mix, the tight end room is getting crowded. And while neither Freiermuth nor Smith has lived up to their full potential recently, Smith is the more likely odd man out. He’s newer to the team, carries a higher cap hit, and hasn’t carved out a leadership role.
Cutting him would free up $7 million and allow the Steelers to reallocate those resources elsewhere - maybe toward a more pressing need like offensive line or cornerback.
Malik Harrison, LB - Cap Savings: $4.75 million
The Steelers took a swing on Malik Harrison last offseason, hoping he could be a younger, more dynamic replacement for Elandon Roberts. It hasn’t panned out.
Harrison battled injuries early and never quite found his groove in the defensive rotation. He’s become more of a depth piece than a difference-maker, and that’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re paying starter money.
Unless Harrison suddenly turns into a dominant run-stopper down the stretch, it’s hard to see him sticking around. The Steelers could recoup nearly $5 million by cutting ties - and they’d likely look to fill his spot with a cheaper, more versatile option.
Alex Highsmith, EDGE - Cap Savings: $8.89 million (pre-June 1) / $14.5 million (post-June 1)
This is where things get interesting. Alex Highsmith has been a force when healthy, a true edge-rushing threat opposite T.J.
Watt. But durability has become a concern, and the emergence of Nick Herbig has raised some eyebrows inside the building.
Highsmith’s contract is sizable, and if the Steelers believe Herbig is ready for a bigger role, they could explore trade options. Cutting him would save nearly $9 million - or $14.5 million if they wait until after June 1 - but trading him might be the smarter play. His value is still high, and Pittsburgh could use the draft capital or player return to address other needs.
As for Watt, there’s been some quiet chatter about his future as well, especially in the post-Tomlin era. But for now, it’s more likely that Highsmith becomes the movable piece. If Herbig is the future, the Steelers might be willing to cash in on Highsmith while they still can.
Final Thoughts
This offseason has the potential to be one of the most transformative in recent Steelers history. With a new head coach coming in and a roster full of tough financial decisions, Pittsburgh is entering a phase where sentimentality has to take a backseat to strategy.
The Steelers have long been known for their stability and loyalty - sometimes to a fault. But if they want to climb out of the NFL’s middle tier and back into true contention, they’ll need to make some bold moves. That starts with tough conversations about players who’ve been part of the foundation.
Change is never easy, especially in a city that reveres its football legends. But for the Steelers, change might be exactly what they need.