While 14 teams have yet to enter off-season mode, the Pittsburgh Steelers are not one of those as the organization failed to make the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Finishing with a record of 9-8 was hard to buy into when the team sat at 2-6 and 3-7, but they fought their way back into the playoff race in November and December. The off-season is always a time of speculation and discussion. Several key decisions need to be made by the time the new league year begins in March and several of those for the franchise surround players who may not need to hang around in 2023.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin stands and stares into the distance on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason game. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
As of right now, no one has a perfectly accurate cap number because of all the factors that come into play, but the team is estimated to be around 1.1 million over the projected 2023 salary cap of 225 million. Now there is no need to panic because a few simple roster moves like the ones below would free up tons of cap space. Remember the Steelers were sitting around 12 million in cap room before trading for William Jackson. So let's get into those potential savings.
1.) William Jackson III
The Steelers pretty much got Jackson III for free. Because he didn't play, no conditional picks will be exchanged with the Washington Commanders. His cap number is set to be $12.75 million in 2023. The organization liked him enough to trade for him, but at best, this would be a release, saving the full $12.75 million in cap space and then re-signing the veteran cornerback to a more team-friendly deal. There is simply no way the team eats that much after not even seeing him play once this past season.
That immediately skyrockets the most important number in overall space. This will be the easiest out of all of the potential decisions for general manager, Omar Khan and head coach, Mike Tomlin. Re-signing cornerback, Cameron Sutton would definitely make this a no-brainer.
2.) Mitchell Trubisky
This has already been talked about within the past week since the Steelers' season ended on Sunday. Trubisky is due $8 million in 2023 plus a $2.625 million bonus. While the team has a small amount invested in the quarterback room with Kenny Pickett on a rookie contract, this is time to take advantage of that and a cap hit of $10.625 from your backup signal-caller is just not ideal when there are plenty of needs elsewhere.
Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) prepares to take a snap against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium during a 2022 regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
It's valuable to have a guy with experience around Pickett, but could Khan go out and look for a less expensive, even more established backup? The cap savings end up being $8 million if he is cut loose, but that leaves a very difficult situation potentially. Pickett may be all by his lonesome in terms of knowing the system offensive coordinator, Matt Canada has in place... that is, if Canada is retained.
3.) Ahkello Witherspoon
Witherspoon's status, too, might depend on the Steelers bringing back Sutton successfully. After being benched near halftime against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, Witherspoon never returned to action after dealing with a hamstring injury. He was a burst of energy at the end of the 2021 season for the defense, but was wildly inconsistent in 2022, which is what he had been known for throughout his career.
A release of Witherspoon would save about $4 million in cap space and add roughly $1.5 million in dead money. If the Steelers decide to let go of both him and Jackson III, they will need to be all in on the cornerback market in free agency and the draft as well.
4.) Gunner Olszewski
The former All-Pro special teams ace was not what many wanted him to be in 2022. He struggled catching punts and was eventually replaced by young wide receiver, Steven Sims. Come training camp, the returner job will most likely be a competition between Sims and Calvin Austin III, the 2022 fourth round pick who was placed on IR and didn't play during his rookie season. If there is optimism surrounding Austin III's health, Olszewski is likely to get the boot.
Steelers wide receiver, Gunner Olszewski (#89) warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
It would be a small $2 million in savings for the Steelers, but anything helps, especially when a guy is unlikely to contribute on special teams or offense. It would be pretty surprising to see Olszewski in the black and gold in 2023.
5.) Myles Jack
Jack's job security is being talked about, but shouldn't be despite his $8 million cap hit. Both Robert Spillane and Devin Bush are free agents and moving on from Jack would leave 2022 seventh round pick, Mark Robinson as the only inside linebacker on the roster entering free agency. Jack wasn't fantastic in 2022, but still had 104 tackles and three passes defended. There is no doubt the franchise will look to bolster this positional group, but Jack is likely to stick around.
Cutting him would result in $8 million in savings, but lead to an absolutely decimated interior linebacking core. Perhaps re-signing Spillane as well as bringing in a big name free agent could change this decision, but Jack is currently set to be the only experienced inside linebacker the team has in 2023. There's no reason to cut him loose and really hurt a group that struggled against the run this past season.
What do you think the Steelers are going to do with these players who are currently under contract for 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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