A Big Steelers Move Still Might Be On The Horizon

This has been an unusual 2023 offseason if you are a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team has been heavily involved in free agency, traded more than once in the draft and has completely retooled the roster from what it was in 2022 when the franchise missed the playoffs. General Manager Omar Khan has made a clear statement in his first full offseason in charge of the front office. As we enter the month of June and Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are in full swing, Pittsburgh's roster may not be finalized. One of, if not, the biggest move yet could still be coming.

Rumors of linebacker Kwon Alexander potentially signing after a visit have been swirling, but that might not be what Khan has in mind if it comes to a massive move. It would be irresponsible to project star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins somehow landing with the Steelers, but taking a look at the current cap situation, a big trade isn't out of the question.

As it sits currently, Pittsburgh has just over $10 million in cap space according to Spotrac. Assuming it takes anywhere from six to eight million to sign draft picks, Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton, the team would be left with roughly three. One thing that hasn't happened yet that everyone expected when the 2023 offseason began was a restructure of defensive star, TJ Watt.

According to Over The Cap, a restructuring of Watt's contract that he signed prior to the 2021 season would open up over $12.5 million for the team to spend. Heading into training camp with nearly $16 million to play around with could inspire Khan to improve the roster even more ahead of the season starting. Hopkins isn't reasonable, but one of his former teammates in Arizona may be.

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons could absolutely be on the move as the organization has already lost Hopkins and seems to be in an intense rebuild. Simmons is only under contract through 2023 and has a cap hit of $6.5 million, but a sign and trade can't be ruled out. The Steelers would be able to afford it, too. He could end up being the future on the inside at linebacker for Pittsburgh.

If Khan and co. have no interest in him, there's no telling what they may be cooking up behind closed doors. There are several free agents still out there and other general managers throughout the league aren't going to ignore their phones if someone is calling to inquire about making a deal. Pittsburgh will have decent money to play with if Watt's contract is restructured and it's hard to imagine the majority of that just sitting around for the majority of the year.

The Steelers Might Make A Splash, But A Much Simpler And Realistic One

Lastly, the big move may just be in-house. It would be great for another big name to come into the fold in the locker room, but a man with 14.5 sacks in 2022, Alex Highsmith, may be due for a big payday. The Steelers will have the opportunity to restructure Watt's contract so that his partner in crime on the other side can remain in Pittsburgh for years to come.

This wouldn't necessarily be the sexiest move to finish off the offseason, but it would be a necessary one. A healthy combination of Watt and Highsmith is turning into one of the NFL's best. It will be a nightmare for opposing defenses through at least 2025 (when Watt's contract expires) if the duo is together on the field for the next few seasons.

What do you think the Steelers' are preserving cap space for? Let us know in the comments below!

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