Steelers salary cap

2026 cap hits 48 players

1. T.J. Watt LB $32.0M

   Signed through 2028 · Free agent 2029 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $32.0M · after June 1: saves $32.0M

2. DK Metcalf WR $25.0M

   Signed through 2029 · Free agent 2030 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $25.0M · after June 1: saves $25.0M

3. Michael Pittman WR $24.0M

   Signed through 2028 · Free agent 2029 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $24.0M · after June 1: saves $24.0M

4. Aaron Rodgers QB $22.8M

   Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $250K dead, saves $22.5M · after June 1: saves $22.5M · Estimated

5. Jalen Ramsey DB $21.4M

   Signed through 2029 · Free agent 2030 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $21.4M · after June 1: saves $21.4M

6. Cameron Heyward DL $16.3M

   Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $16.3M · after June 1: saves $16.3M

7. Patrick Queen LB $15.8M

   Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $15.8M · after June 1: saves $15.8M

8. Alex Highsmith LB $14.5M

   Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $14.5M · after June 1: saves $14.5M

9. Keeanu Benton DL $14.0M

   Signed through 2030 · Free agent 2031 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $14.0M · after June 1: saves $14.0M

10. Jamel Dean DB $13.5M

    Signed through 2028 · Free agent 2029 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $13.5M · after June 1: saves $13.5M

11. Darnell Washington TE $11.3M

    Signed through 2030 · Free agent 2031 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $11.3M · after June 1: saves $11.3M

12. Pat Freiermuth TE $10.6M

    Signed through 2028 · Free agent 2029 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $10.6M · after June 1: saves $10.6M

13. Chris Boswell K $10.5M

    Signed through 2030 · Free agent 2031 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $10.5M · after June 1: saves $10.5M

14. Rico Dowdle RB $6.3M

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $6.3M · after June 1: saves $6.3M

15. DeShon Elliott DB $6.1M

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $6.1M · after June 1: saves $6.1M

16. Sebastian Joseph-Day DL $6.0M

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $6.0M · after June 1: saves $6.0M

17. Jaquan Brisker DB $5.5M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $5.5M · after June 1: saves $5.5M

18. Jaylen Warren RB $5.1M

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $5.1M · after June 1: saves $5.1M

19. Asante Samuel Jr. DB $4.0M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $4.0M · after June 1: saves $4.0M

20. Brandin Echols DB $3.0M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $3.0M · after June 1: saves $3.0M

21. Mason Rudolph QB $3.0M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $3.0M · after June 1: saves $3.0M

22. Drew Allar QB $2.5M

    Signed through 2029 · Free agent 2030 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $2.5M · after June 1: saves $2.5M

23. Daylen Everette DB $2.4M

    Signed through 2029 · Free agent 2030 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $2.4M · after June 1: saves $2.4M

24. Derrick Harmon DL $2.3M

    Signed through 2028 · Free agent 2029 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $2.3M · after June 1: saves $2.3M

25. Cole Holcomb LB $2.3M

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $2.3M · after June 1: saves $2.3M

26. Ben Skowronek WR $2.2M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $2.2M · after June 1: saves $2.2M

27. Esezi Otomewo DL $1.8M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.8M · after June 1: saves $1.8M

28. Elandon Roberts LB $1.7M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $188K dead, saves $1.5M · after June 1: saves $1.5M · Estimated

29. Marte Mapu LB $1.5M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.5M · after June 1: saves $1.5M

30. Roman Wilson WR $1.3M

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.3M · after June 1: saves $1.3M

31. Cameron Johnston P $1.3M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.3M · after June 1: saves $1.3M

32. Robert Tonyan TE $1.3M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.3M · after June 1: saves $1.3M

33. Isaiah Hodgins WR $1.2M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.2M · after June 1: saves $1.2M

34. Christian Kuntz LS $1.2M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.2M · after June 1: saves $1.2M

35. Marquez Valdes-Scantling WR $1.2M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.2M · after June 1: saves $1.2M

36. Travis Homer RB $1.2M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.2M · after June 1: saves $1.2M

37. Brandon Johnson WR $1.1M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.1M · after June 1: saves $1.1M

38. Logan Lee DL $1.1M

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.1M · after June 1: saves $1.1M

39. Jacoby Windmon LB $1.0M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (RFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.0M · after June 1: saves $1.0M

40. Sebastian Castro DB $1.0M

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (ERFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.0M · after June 1: saves $1.0M

41. Will Howard QB $1.0M

    Signed through 2028 · Free agent 2029 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $1.0M · after June 1: saves $1.0M

42. Sean Murphy-Bunting DB $945K

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $945K · after June 1: saves $945K

43. Terell Smith DB $836K

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (UFA) · Can be franchise tagged · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $836K · after June 1: saves $836K

44. Doneiko Slaughter DB $688K

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (RFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $688K · after June 1: saves $688K

45. Lew Nichols III RB $639K

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $639K · after June 1: saves $639K

46. Brandon Smith WR $541K

    Signed through 2027 · Free agent 2028 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $541K · after June 1: saves $541K

47. Donte Kent DB $540K

    Signed through 2028 · Free agent 2029 (UFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $540K · after June 1: saves $540K

48. Daequan Hardy DB $515K

    Signed through 2026 · Free agent 2027 (RFA) · Cut now: $0 dead, saves $515K · after June 1: saves $515K

2027 so far

26 players under contract, $244.7M committed (the 51 biggest cap hits count in the offseason). The 2027 cap is set in February.

Contracts ending after 2026 (22)

• Aaron Rodgers QBUFA, can be tagged
• Patrick Queen LBUFA, can be tagged
• Jaquan Brisker DBUFA, can be tagged
• Asante Samuel Jr. DBUFA, can be tagged
• Brandin Echols DBUFA, can be tagged
• Mason Rudolph QBUFA, can be tagged
• Ben Skowronek WRUFA, can be tagged
• Esezi Otomewo DLUFA, can be tagged
• Elandon Roberts LBUFA, can be tagged
• Marte Mapu LBUFA, can be tagged
• Cameron Johnston PUFA, can be tagged
• Robert Tonyan TEUFA, can be tagged
• Isaiah Hodgins WRUFA, can be tagged
• Christian Kuntz LSUFA, can be tagged
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling WRUFA, can be tagged
• Travis Homer RBUFA, can be tagged
• Brandon Johnson WRUFA, can be tagged
• Jacoby Windmon LBRFA
• Sebastian Castro DBERFA
• Sean Murphy-Bunting DBUFA, can be tagged
• Terell Smith DBUFA, can be tagged
• Daequan Hardy DBRFA

What if: cut or trade for 2027

Pick a move for any player and see what it does to the 2027 cap. "After June 1" spreads his dead money over two years.

1. DK Metcalf WR $33.0M
   Move for DK Metcalf Cut: saves $33.0M · after June 1: saves $33.0M · Trade: saves $33.0M
2. T.J. Watt LB $32.0M
   Move for T.J. Watt Cut: saves $32.0M · after June 1: saves $32.0M · Trade: saves $32.0M
3. Cameron Heyward DL $24.0M
   Move for Cameron Heyward Cut: saves $24.0M · after June 1: saves $24.0M · Trade: saves $24.0M
4. Jalen Ramsey DB $23.7M
   Move for Jalen Ramsey Cut: saves $23.7M · after June 1: saves $23.7M · Trade: saves $23.7M
5. Michael Pittman WR $21.0M
   Move for Michael Pittman Cut: saves $21.0M · after June 1: saves $21.0M · Trade: saves $21.0M
6. Jamel Dean DB $16.0M
   Move for Jamel Dean Cut: saves $16.0M · after June 1: saves $16.0M · Trade: saves $16.0M
7. Alex Highsmith LB $15.5M
   Move for Alex Highsmith Cut: saves $15.5M · after June 1: saves $15.5M · Trade: saves $15.5M
8. Keeanu Benton DL $12.0M
   Move for Keeanu Benton Cut: saves $12.0M · after June 1: saves $12.0M · Trade: saves $12.0M
9. Pat Freiermuth TE $11.5M
   Move for Pat Freiermuth Cut: saves $11.5M · after June 1: saves $11.5M · Trade: saves $11.5M
10. Darnell Washington TE $9.3M
    Move for Darnell Washington Cut: saves $9.3M · after June 1: saves $9.3M · Trade: saves $9.3M
11. Jaylen Warren RB $7.7M
    Move for Jaylen Warren Cut: saves $7.7M · after June 1: saves $7.7M · Trade: saves $7.7M
12. DeShon Elliott DB $6.4M
    Move for DeShon Elliott Cut: saves $6.4M · after June 1: saves $6.4M · Trade: saves $6.4M
13. Rico Dowdle RB $6.0M
    Move for Rico Dowdle Cut: saves $6.0M · after June 1: saves $6.0M · Trade: saves $6.0M
14. Sebastian Joseph-Day DL $5.0M
    Move for Sebastian Joseph-Day Cut: saves $5.0M · after June 1: saves $5.0M · Trade: saves $5.0M
15. Chris Boswell K $4.5M
    Move for Chris Boswell Cut: saves $4.5M · after June 1: saves $4.5M · Trade: saves $4.5M
16. Derrick Harmon DL $3.8M
    Move for Derrick Harmon Cut: saves $3.8M · after June 1: saves $3.8M · Trade: saves $3.8M
17. Cole Holcomb LB $2.7M
    Move for Cole Holcomb Cut: saves $2.7M · after June 1: saves $2.7M · Trade: saves $2.7M
18. Roman Wilson WR $1.6M
    Move for Roman Wilson Cut: saves $1.6M · after June 1: saves $1.6M · Trade: saves $1.6M
19. Drew Allar QB $1.2M
    Move for Drew Allar Cut: saves $1.2M · after June 1: saves $1.2M · Trade: saves $1.2M
20. Daylen Everette DB $1.2M
    Move for Daylen Everette Cut: saves $1.2M · after June 1: saves $1.2M · Trade: saves $1.2M
21. Logan Lee DL $1.2M
    Move for Logan Lee Cut: saves $1.2M · after June 1: saves $1.2M · Trade: saves $1.2M
22. Donte Kent DB $1.1M
    Move for Donte Kent Cut: saves $1.1M · after June 1: saves $1.1M · Trade: saves $1.1M
23. Will Howard QB $1.1M
    Move for Will Howard Cut: saves $1.1M · after June 1: saves $1.1M · Trade: saves $1.1M
24. Brandon Smith WR $1.1M
    Move for Brandon Smith Cut: saves $1.1M · after June 1: saves $1.1M · Trade: saves $1.1M
25. Doneiko Slaughter DB $1.1M
    Move for Doneiko Slaughter Cut: saves $1.1M · after June 1: saves $1.1M · Trade: saves $1.1M
26. Lew Nichols III RB $1.1M
    Move for Lew Nichols III Cut: saves $1.1M · after June 1: saves $1.1M · Trade: saves $1.1M

The 26 biggest 2027 cap hits. A trade leaves his unpaid bonus as dead money; his guaranteed pay goes with him. Doesn't count who replaces him on the roster.