Here are the four Steelers set to be grossly overpaid if they are on the roster in 2021
While the Steelers season ended in bitter disappointment, the NFL has no breaks and the team has to be focusing on the future. This was made clear with the recent coaching changes made by the team. As well, the team needs to be thinking about who they are going to roster in 2021.
Given the cap constraints of this team, some tough choices will have to be made. Here are the players that will be overpaid if they are on the roster in 2021.
Derek Watt
While it seemed like a decent move last year, the Steelers are the clear losers of the Derek Watt signing. He is the second-highest-paid fullback in the league, but he did next to nothing for the Steelers this year. The run game continued to struggle, and he in no way aided the team in that respect. The measly 52 snaps he played on offense shows that the team didn’t see value in having him out there as a lead blocker.
While he was on the field regularly for special teams, it isn’t enough to warrant his contract right now. He is set to earn 2.75 million dollars if he is on the roster while counting for just under 4 million dollars on the cap (cap hit and what they are earning are different). While shedding 2.75 million doesn’t sound like a lot, everything helps in a tough year like this. More to the point, he has in no way justified getting that money as his play wasn’t good. A fair contract for Watt this next season should be the minimum, not nearly 3 million dollars.
Vance McDonald
To be fair, Vance McDonald isn’t given the credit he is due from this season. He went from the starter to a reserve blocker role, and you didn’t hear a single complaint from him. A casual fan will point at his meager production (15 receptions for 99 yards), but his play in the trenches was far better than last year. That said, his value as a blocker and minimal returns as a pass-catcher don’t justify the contract he is set to earn if he is on the roster.
If he is still on the roster, McDonald will earn 5.2 million dollars and have a cap hit of just under 8 million dollars attached to his name. While a good team player and a fine blocker, he is simply not worth that kind of money. The 5.2 million dollars the Steelers would save could go towards bringing back one of their pending free agents or just getting cap compliant. Honestly, the same could be said for Eric Ebron, as the team could shed 6 million off the cap by releasing him. That said, he is far more critical to this offense and would decimate the tight end room if he and McDonald were released.
While it is almost set in stone that McDonald is cut, don’t be surprised if he circles back to the team. His value on the market won’t be high, and if he is willing to play on a cheap contract, the team would be foolish to let him go. The right situation has to happen, but McDonald could be a realistic resign candidate after he is cut. That said, the contract he is currently on makes him extremely overpaid heading into next year.
Joe Haden
This is where the list gets harder, as Joe Haden is the team’s longest-tenured outside cornerback and is a fan favorite. He was a huge get after the Browns released him, and he has played admirably for the Steelers since. That said, he is getting paid 7 million dollars in 2021 and has the second-highest cap hit of 15.575 million. Given his age and the fact that the Steelers have two younger corners hitting free agency, Haden isn’t worth that money in 2021.
While he played well, and he played better than fellow outside corner Steven Nelson, Haden seemed to have some mistakes that will increase as he gets older. On occasion, he was simply outmatched physically by some receivers. Those issues don’t get better with age, unfortunately, and there is a real chance Haden falls off the cliff next year. If the Steelers keep him over some of the younger guys, it could be a long-term mistake.
Haden had a fine season and has been incredible for the Steelers, but father time seems to be catching up with him this season. Next year, he could easily be the worst corner on this team and give up more big plays. If the team could get either Mike Hilton or Cameron Sutton back with his savings, it may force their hand into cutting the veteran. As well, this cornerback class has a lot of talent at the top of the class, which could make replacing him and saving the money they do a viable option.
Ben Roethlisberger
If Haden hurt to write about, this one is a knockout. Despite his illustrious Hall of Fame career, Ben Roethlisberger is no longer the quarterback he once was. He is set to earn 19 million dollars in 2021 and have a monster cap hit of 41.25 dollars as a result of past restructures. Given the step back this team is likely to take and the amount of young talent that the team could lose in free agency, Roethlisberger isn’t worth the money he is making.
While his 2020 started off strong, it became clear that his arm wasn’t completely there. While the offensive scheme didn’t help him (or anyone, for that matter), his deep ball was more often than not missing the target. This was made worse when defenses realized what was coming and began to shut down this offense. Those issues will only get worse next year, and that 19 million dollars could be spent elsewhere.
Now, the Steelers won’t cut Roethlisberger this season, but there is a real chance he retires, or the team strongly suggests he retires as they did with Troy Polamalu. That 19 million could go a long way in getting cap compliant and resigning some of the key young pieces that will be gone otherwise. While the team’s competitiveness will certainly take a hit, as Roethlisberger gives the team the best chance to win next year, keeping the young talent that would be lost would be better long term. His declining play doesn’t warrant the money he is set to earn.
While all the players above have had varying success in a Steelers uniform, each of them are on bad contracts for the team next year. While each one may not be cut, realize that by keeping them, the odds of retaining other free agents decrease. The team will have some tough decisions to make this offseason, and a lot of those start here.