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Analyzing the salary cap savings with Stephon Tuitt’s and David Decastro’s new contract structure

Are these moves foreshadowing a Le’veon Bell contract, franchise tagging him or getting ready for free agency to begin?

Pittsburgh Steelers v Houston Texans Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

On Saturday it was reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers reworked the contracts of both Stephon Tuitt and David DeCastro. Such a move would free up $13.26 million. Each player will reduce his base salary to $790,000, which is the veteran minimum for their years of service. The Steelers were backed into a corner in regards to the cap as they were over the cap by $5 million. The Black and Gold have moved their cap space into the black by $7,647,724, according to Over the Cap. This was a necessity to be compliant by March 14, the start of the new league year.

Stephon Tuitt before the rework.

2018

$3.5 million base salary

$2.6 million prorated signing bonus

$7.5 million roster bonus

$13.6 million cap hit

New contract

2018

$790,000 base salary

$4.624 million signing bonus prorated

Cap hit: $5.432 million

$8,168,000 cap savings

2019

$6 million base salary

$4.624 million signing bonus

$3 million roster bonus

$13,642,000 cap hit

2020 and 2021

$9 million base salary

$4.624 million signing bonus

$13,642,000 cap hit

2022

$9,048,560 base salary

$4.624 million signing bonus

$11,090,560 cap hit

David DeCastro before the rework.

2018

$3.79 million base salary

$3.2 million signing bonus

$3.79 roster bonus

$10.78 million cap hit

New contract

2018

$790,000 base salary

$4,897,50l million signing bonus

$5,687,500 cap hit

$5,092,500 cap savings

2019

$7,070,000 base salary

$4,897,50l million signing bonus

$11,967,500 cap hit

2020

$8,750,000 base salary

$4,897,50l million signing bonus

$13,647,500 cap hit

2021

$8,750,000 base salary

$4,897,50l million signing bonus

$10,447,500 cap hit

BTSC faithful will read into these restructures. Does this mean that Bell is on the verge of signing a long-term contract? Is this the march towards freeing up enough cap space to franchise tag him and that massive $14.5 million hit that it would entail? Is this just the start to shave off the $16 million the six-time Super Bowl champs have to clear off their books to make bare minimum offseason moves?

Stay tuned to BTSC for updates on the Steelers offseason news.