2014 salary cap estimates now rising over $132 million

First, it was ESPN's Adam Schefter setting the 2014 salary cap bar at $130 million. Not only after that, his crony, Chris Mortensen, said it could reach $132 million.

Not to be outdone, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio is quoting a source who says it could be "a few million over" $132 million, even as high as $135 million.

That's kind of a game-changer. It would put the Steelers' salary cap pretty much at even right now - Over The Cap estimates the team's top 51 contracts at $135,472,583.

Of course, Over The Cap is the same source who lists Steelers offensive tackle Levi Brown as a player who will "probably" be cut within the coming days. We'd give the odds of Brown and his $6.25 salary being as high as the sun rising in the east today.

Whenever the salary cap is finalized we'll get the exact figure. It's as simple as that. But the fact there are so many reports of fairly significant increases is positive - provided you're in favor of the salary cap increasing. The Steelers are one of the relatively few number of teams projected to be over the cap at the start of the 2014 league year (March 11). More teams with more cap room means higher salaries, thus, theoretically, pinning the Steelers in the same place they were previously in anyway. With other reports speculating the Steelers won't cut outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley and will not be able to compete for pending free agent Jason Worilds, making a move among their roster is a very solid bet right now, outside of the release of Brown (which should come in the next few days).

Expect some movement on safety Troy Polamalu, likely in the form of a new deal, throwing out his 2014 contract and tacking on a few more years. An extension for Ben Roethlisberger seems like a logical move as well. The team may ask Ike Taylor to take a reduced salary to stay with the team in 2014. Those moves, and the cap space they would provide, will dictate their movement in free agency.