Steelers restructure contracts of Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Mitchell along with Marcus Gilbert

PIT was under 89% but just completed restructurings for Gilbert, Pouncey and Mitchell saving $9.5M in cap space and moving over threshold

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 25, 2015

Just a few quick moves and the Steelers have an additional $9.5 million in cap space, and won't be required to pay into the NFLPA.

What those moves mean, both now and in the future, is a more compelling angle.

It was announced earlier the Steelers restructured the contract of right tackle Marcus Gilbert, and CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Wednesday they restructured the deals given to Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Mitchell as well.

If this is the case, the Steelers will sit around $11 million under a $140 million estimated salary cap. Some projections suggest the cap will be closer to $143 million, meaning the Steelers have opened up cap space.

One reason for those moves could be to be able to make a competitive offer for pending free agent Jason Worilds, who could command as much as $7 million a season on the open market.

A contract extension is expected to be given to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as well, and with $6.9 million looming in the form of restructured bonuses over the years, the Steelers likely won't save much off the cap by giving him a new deal - something they've confirmed they will do.

Outside linebacker Arthur Moats and cornerback Brice McCain are also pending free agents, scheduled to hit the market March 10, the start of the 2015 league year.