Top-level athletes can earn significant sums each year, especially players from the Pittsburgh Steelers. From basketball to football however, players sign contracts that can be astounding. This season, nearly every NFL club has seen their salary cap increase. If you’re a Steelers fan curious about player earnings, you might be surprised by the numbers. Here’s a look at the 5 highest-paid Steelers players of the current season. You’ll also see how much the NFL’s top five earners make annually.
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T.J. Watt: $30.41 Million
Leading the team in salary is T.J. Watt, with an annual $30.41 million. Although quarterbacks often top salary lists, Watt holds the first spot despite being an outside linebacker. With a contract running through the 2025 offseason and an extension likely, Watt has reset the edge defender market.
Due to his pivotal role, it’s fair to say he merits his 11.8% share of the team’s total salary. Watt also holds the largest contract in Steelers history. His presence on the field remains significant, engaging fans and even impacting those who participate in the sport through various ways, such as online bet.
Minkah Fitzpatrick: $21.35 Million
With a cap hit of $21.35 million, Fitzpatrick holds the team’s second-highest salary. His 4-year deal, signed in 2022, runs until 2026, with pay set to increase in the coming years. However, injuries, including hamstring and knee issues last season, have affected his performance.
Notably, the safety position is increasingly scrutinized and undervalued in today’s NFL. While Fitzpatrick is an elite safety, his impact has not matched previous years, leading some viewers to question the value of his contract.
Larry Ogunjobi: $13.28 Million
Many fans consider Ogunjobi’s 3-year, $28.75 million contract the Steelers' least effective. This is understandable, given his relatively minor impact on defense. Despite this, his $13.28 million cap number is the team’s third-highest.
Ogunjobi’s performance has been subpar, with only an average of 2.25 sacks per season since joining the team, making his contract difficult to justify from a return-on-investment perspective.
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle, Larry Ogunjobi.
Cameron Heyward: $12.60 Million
Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has the fourth-highest cap hit at $12.60 million. Like Watt, he’s deserving of his earnings despite an injury-limited season last year. Heyward even received a contract extension back in September before Week 1 kicked off.
His presence benefits the development of younger defenders, such as Logan Lee.
Isaac Seumalo: $10.19 Million
Isaac Seumalo rounds out the top five with a cap hit of $10.19 million. This salary places the 31-year-old guard as the fifth-highest earner on the team, reflecting his veteran experience and technical skill in enhancing both run game and pass protection.
Seumalo, like Heyward, can serve as a mentor for younger offensive players, including Mason McCormick, and Zach Frazier. No wonder the Steelers are eager to retain him.
Comparing to the Highest Salaries in the League
While these Steelers players’ salaries are impressive, they pale in comparison to the NFL’s top five cap hits, dominated by quarterbacks. Here are the league’s highest-paid players.
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Patrick Mahomes throws the ball while the Steelers defense rushes him.
Jared Goff: $85.6 Million - After signing a new contract in May, Goff became the NFL’s highest cap hit. The Lions quarterback was awarded this contract after leading his team to their first playoff appearance in seven years.
Patrick Mahomes: $81 Million - Mahomes, quarterback for Kansas City, has the largest contract in NFL history in terms of total value. He may renegotiate in the coming months, as he aims for his third consecutive Super Bowl title.
Jordan Love: $80.5 Million - Following his breakout 2023 season, the Packers’ young quarterback signed a lucrative contract guaranteeing him $79 million in on-field earnings. With additional endorsement deals, he reaches over $80 million per year.
Joe Burrow: $69.7 Million - The Bengals’ Joe Burrow recently signed a five-year, $275 million extension. His total annual income includes a $65.7 million salary plus endorsements worth $4 million.
Justin Herbert: $67.6 Million - Rounding out the top five, Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers signed a major new contract in 2023, with endorsements pushing his total annual earnings to $67.6 million.
As you can see, the figures are indeed staggering, and the Steelers’ salaries are modest by comparison to the NFL’s top earners.
