It is not enough that the Pittsburgh Steelers will dismiss most of their free internal agents in this off-season. Pittsburgh may need to dig players under contract and make some tough decisions about veterans whose game is not matching their cap set. Here are four faces to consider as the Steelers enter the off-season.
Center Maurkice Pouncey
(AP Photo / Gary McCullough)
Pouncey has already suggested retirement, but regardless, the team could save $ 8 million in 2021 if Pouncey were released. His game has waned and, although he is Ben Roethlisberger’s security blanket, this is still a business.
Cornerback Steven Nelson
(AP Photo / Emilee Chinn)
You probably thought I would put Joe Haden here and it’s a real possibility. But if the Steelers are just looking at it from a financial perspective, releasing Nelson takes $ 8.25 million out of the books.
Guard David DeCastro
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Another veteran who saw his game drop in 2020 was DeCastro. With the potential to save $ 8.75 million and free up an opening seat for Kevin Dotson, it may make sense for the Steelers.
Quarterback Ben Roethlsiberger
(AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar)
Leaving the biggest and most obvious to the end, we have Roethlisberger. Big Ben said it will do whatever it takes in terms of its salary to play for Pittsburgh this season, but if the two sides do not reach an agreement, the savings to free Roethlisberger is $ 19 million.