4 scenarios Steelers could explore to boost their 2022 salary cap space
By Tommy Jaggi
Scenario 2: Steelers cut Banner, Schobert, and Haeg
Cutting both Zach Banner and Joe Schobert this offseason should be a given for the Steelers, and I can’t think of a good enough reason to keep either player around. However, I would suggest adding at least one more name to this list.
Joe Haeg was serviceable when called upon late in the season (though I’m still a bit frustrated that playing him in Week 17 cost the Steelers a future fifth-round compensatory pick). Haeg turns 29 years old this offseason and has bounced around the league as a swing tackle. He’s not a guy the Steelers want starting.
Pittsburgh can get another player to fill his role, and cutting Haeg in addition to Banner and Schobert would save the Steelers $15.43 million. This would instantly bring their total cap space up to $50.54 million for the 2022 offseason — a sizeable boost from the $34.1 million they currently have.
The only problem with this is that Pittsburgh would be getting rid of two offensive tackles at a position that is already thin. Though Dan Moore could potentially be a long-term option at the position, Chukwuma Okorafor is an unrestricted free agent and is likely to sign elsewhere. Still, this is a great savings, and the Steelers could turn around and invest their money into a better offensive tackle in free agency.