Updating the Steelers’ salary cap situation after making several moves

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to sign and retain their own players as the the new league year approaches on March 14. Each new signing brings the Steelers closer to the brink, regarding the NFL’s salary cap.

A recent restructure of David DeCastro and Stephon Tuitt opened up much-needed cap space. It can be speculated what the relief will be used for.

• Will it be used to franchise or extend the contract of Le’Veon Bell?
• Making big moves in free agency?
• Freeing up space for the projected $11 million in spending that the current cap space does not take into account at Over the Cap?

Current cap space: $7,647,724 (2017 carryover is included, any dead money, along with projection that the cap should rise.)

What is not included:

Bell: Will he be on the roster come March 14, if so at what price?

ERFA and RFA players: Pitt still has numerous players who are not signed and likely will.

New free agents: Steelers have holes to fill, will the fixes come via free agency?

Six draft picks: $5 million (Possibly more depending on compensated picks.)

52nd and 53rd players.: $1.1 million minimum. (I have asked several of the capologists why these positions are not included year round. They are stumped as well and have no answers.)

10-man taxi squad: $1.4 million (estimated)

The 2019 carryover: $3.5 million (estimated)

OTA per diem: $250,000 (estimated)

As you can see from the above, Pittsburgh still needs to make additional moves. The Steelers have never been shy regarding restructuring contracts and kicking guaranteed money down the road. Nor has the Black-and-Gold have ever been concerned with banishing current players who are seen as not living up to their contracts.

Extending current players under contract is always an option, and many speculate this will transpire with Ben Roethlisberger and others.

What single move would you be most against? What move would you be most in favor with? Do you think Pittsburgh will keep Bell? Do you think Pittsburgh will make a splash move on the free agent market?

Let us know in the comment section below!