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It is a name the most Steelers fans are not familiar with much like many of the behind-the-scenes front office personnel. With an official title of Football Administration Coordinator, Samir Suleiman’s main responsibilities with the Steelers over the last seven seasons was dealing with managing the salary cap, player contract negotiations, and other team logistics. Unfortunately, Suleiman has now moved on as he’s taking a position with the Carolina Panthers according to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic.
Carolina Panthers raid Steelers again. Hiring Samir Suleiman to be their capologist and more
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) January 20, 2020
With the 2020 season being one in which the Steelers will need to work some magic with their salary cap situation, it is unfortunate that the Steelers have lost one of their pieces they’ve become familiar with over the last several seasons. Currently the Steelers do not have much room under the salary cap while still having to sign several unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents, and exclusive rights free agents as well as their 2020 draft class.
One of the big salary cap issues the Steelers are facing for 2020 is an attempt to retain outside linebacker Bud Dupree. Currently the Steelers do not have the space to use the franchise tag on Dupree, something which must occur before the tag can be applied. And with 2020 being the final year of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, there are rules against how much the Steelers can defer payments by restructuring the contracts of players currently on the roster.
While it is unclear to many how much the loss of Suleiman will affect the Steelers operations over the next few months, losing someone who can help with such a difficult salary cap situation is generally not a positive development. Add the fact general manager Kevin Colbert‘s contract only runs through the 2020 NFL draft, the Steelers are going to have to be making some important moves in their front office in the very near future.
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