5 roster moves that could instantly save the Steelers $45 million

Cut Joe Haden

Of the roster moves I’ve mentioned so far on this list, this one hurts the most as Joe Haden is still a solid football player for the Steelers. However, Father Time will soon be catching up with him. Like Pouncey, Haden turns 32 years old this offseason, and while his play was still solid in 2020, it’s going to be hard to justify his $15.6 million against the cap this year.

In terms of yearly value, that would make Joe Haden a top-five paid cornerback in the league next year, above better players like Xavien Howard, James Bradberry, and Stephon Gilmore. The Steelers essentially have two choices when it comes to Haden: either extend his contract another season and try to push some money back or cut him and save $7 million dollars this year.

To me, the latter seems more enticing. With the money saved, Pittsburgh could throw some of it back into signing a free agent cornerback, or they could give it to Cameron Sutton or Mike Hilton in an extension. Either way, it’s probably not a good idea to sit pat and let your 32-year-old cornerback cost you nearly $16 million against the cap this season. Cutting Haden would save this team loads of money.