Step out of the way Omar Khan because there is a new sheriff in town. As I do every year, I have officially taken control of the Pittsburgh Steelers and will successfully navigate the offseason for them. This will entail any cuts, restructures, trades, signings, and of course, draft picks.
This post won’t be for the faint of heart, as there is a laundry list of moves that I think this team will make. We need to figure out the quarterback room, an offensive identity, and a way to get this defense back to an elite level.
Since I am taking the reigns from Khan, this will be built around what I want the team to do. Naturally, I can only assume that both the Steelers and myself will have vastly different ideas on what will make a successful offseason. I have confidence that I can crush this though.
Before we get started, I wanted to highlight what tools I will be using. For any contract or cap-related issue, we are using Over the Cap to manage that. As for free agent deals, we will be using Pro Football Networks' offseason manager. Finally, for the draft and any player trades, PFF’s mock draft simulator is my tool of choice.
Assessing the current state of the Pittsburgh Steelers
This team needs a clear direction, and I am going to provide them with one.
For starters, no matter what we do, we recognize that the Pittsburgh Steelers are not going to be Super Bowl contenders this year. That doesn’t mean we have to tank, but mortgaging the future for one player also doesn’t get us over that hump.
At quarterback, my goal is to bring back one of our previous starters, as there is no other name in the draft or free agency that I think is a better ROI. My eye is on the quarterback class next year.
At running back, I’m building a room around Jaylen Warren. He shouldn’t be a bell-cow, but I want the offense to be running through him and the other backs we add. At receiver, I have made my decision on George Pickens and will highlight that choice below. No matter what, new faces and talent are desperately needed.
The tight end room has two strong options, but knowing how this offense is run and some pending contracts, adding some more depth here makes sense. The offensive line is set as far as starters go, but a long-term guard and depth at tackle is crucial to locate this offseason.
On defense, the Steelers need a facelift at the defensive line. We need players that can play now as well as ones that can be developed for the future. A fourth edge rusher would also be nice. Linebacker is mostly set and we could see a cheap name added for depth and special teams play.
The secondary needs some work. We need a capable second cornerback and some help in the slot. At safety, a third option for depth and specific defensive packages is a must, and considering the future of Minkah Fitzpatrick is also crucial for me as I see him as overpaid.
Pittsburgh Steelers Cap Clearing Measures
Steelers restructures
We start everything off with an extremely healthy $59.6 million in cap space. That isn’t going to stop me from making some moves though. Historically, this team has utilized restructures in order to gain additional cap space.
They have some names that save them some change as well. Pat Freiermuth sticks out as the most obvious candidate. Alex Highsmith is also eligible to have his money moved around.
My issue is that with ample cap space and the fact that this just kicks the can down the road, I am not planning on restructuring anyone this year.
Steelers cuts
A name that I will keep this year, against my better judgment, is Fitzpatrick. Yes, he will be overpaid and needs a good rebound year to stick past 2025, but you take on a lot of dead money if you cut him and open up a huge need at safety. Cap space isn’t pinched right now, so I leave him be.
The same can’t be said for Larry Ogunjobi. With his roster bonus due, I decide to cut bait despite a smaller salary. He hasn’t played up to the level that you hoped he would, and I’m not interested in seeing if he could finally get things to click.
The same is true for Cole Holcomb. I hope he has healed up and can continue his career, but at his price, it won’t be in Pittsburgh. Both of those cuts net the team $13 million.
I also release Cordarrelle Patterson and Dean Lowry. Both could be held on through camp, but I want to improve my depth at both of those positions and am willing to cut bait now to let them find a new home. As for Montravius Adams, he sticks around for now and will compete for a depth spot in training camp.
Altogether, this puts the Steelers at $77.9 million in overall space.
Steelers trades
Here is where things get a little crazy: I’m trading Pickens. I can’t justify giving him a massive new deal given his antics, and I struggle to see him not being a distraction for the team without a new deal.
I give the Falcons a call. They need to improve their receiver room with Micheal Penix now in the fold, and Pickens would certainly fit that bill. I asked for a second this year and a second next year, and that deal was quickly declined.
The same result happens with a second and a third next year. Declined. We put in next year’s fourth-round pick instead, with the condition of that turning into a third-round pick if Pickens goes over 1000 yards. That deal is accepted, and Pickens is officially off to Atlanta.
I’m not done yet. I call up the Jets and try to gauge their interest in moving Garrett Wilson. It isn’t high, and I want to see how free agency plays out before I send my first-round pick to them for him. From this trade, we now have $81.6 million in cap space. I’ll reserve $21.6 million for rookies and potential in-season moves, giving us an effective cap space of $60 million to work with.
Pittsburgh Steelers Re-Signings
The first name I’m going after heavily is Justin Fields. Look, I get that Fields has limitations, but of every name, this team could realistically land, Fields has the most potential. We’ve seen the Eagles build an explosive offense around Jalen Hurts, so why can’t Pittsburgh do the same with Fields?
I offer him the same deal I outlined earlier in the offseason with a slightly higher signing bonus: 2 years, $38.5 million total. He takes up $11.5 million in cap space and can finally have his shot at starting for this team. He accepts, so we have our QB for the season. We also turn around and snag Kyle Allen for the league minimum.
Jaylen Warren is next on my list, and instead of just giving him a tender, I want him on a long-term deal. $6.5 million a year over three years and he accepts. Jeez, this is easy, and Warren will only count towards $3.5 million this season.
Elandon Roberts also decides to come back on a two-year deal worth $8 million total. Those are the big names I wanted, but I have two special teams options I also want back on the team.
The first is Ben Skowronek. He agrees to a two-year, $4 million deal to come back and serve as a depth receiver and special teams ace. James Pierre agrees to a veteran minimum contract for similar reasons.
Following these moves, the Steelers head into free agency with $42.8 million in effective cap space.
Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agent Additions
Heading into free agency, I have my sights set on a receiver and cornerback to stabilize those positions. Unfortunately, my mega target in Byron Murphy stayed with the Vikings, so I shifted my focus to Asante Samuel Jr.
He primarily plays outside but has the body type to potentially work in the slot. He can be a fine second option even if he lacks the size the team normally covets from their cornerbacks. I offer him a three-year deal for $36 million and he accepts.
For receiver, I quickly submit an offer to Amari Cooper to the tune of two years at $15 million a season. I want a stable veteran who can wrack up receptions and be the top target in a pinch. Cooper is just that, and while his best football may be behind him, he can still contribute as a good option in the passing game.
I’m not done with receivers either. Wanting to ensure this room is deeper than last year, I call up Josh Palmer and land him on a two-year deal worth $5 million a season. He can be penciled in as the second option unless a rookie can overtake him at that price.
I want to lock up a viable swing tackle option. Kelvin Beachum is available and I call him up and offer him a simple two-year deal worth $6 million total. He accepts, and we have a good veteran who can push either starter for snaps.
We land Daniel Jones on a one-year, $5 million deal. Everyone seems against the idea of adding him, but he fits in well with what this offense wants and would be a viable person to push Fields. I think there is good merit to adding him on a reasonable deal.
We lock up D’Onta Foreman on a two-year deal worth $4 million. I wanted Javonte Williams, but he didn’t make it to free agency in this simulation. Foreman can handle some snaps in a game and keeps that power element around in the backfield.
We head back to the defense and offer a personal favorite of mine, Dennis Gardeck, a three-year deal worth $15 million. He accepts and will hold down the fourth linebacker role, shine on special teams, and be an emergency depth that can produce if needed on defense.
For the defensive line, we add a beefy nose tackle in Teair Tart. He is a stout-run defender and can allow Keeanu Benton to play base end this year. A move like this doesn’t stop you from drafting anyone either.
Our last big deal is with Nate Hobbs. I went back and forth on if I wanted to go after him, but with all of this cap space, it made sense to lock him up. Two years, $14 million and he can man the slot in 2025.
To round things out, we sign Tre’ McKitty, Ricky Stromberg, Krys Barnes, and Mike Edwards to veteran minimum contracts for depth. Altogether, this leaves us with very few gaping holes. We even have cap space to spare, $29.5 million total as we continue into the offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Mock Draft
We enter the draft still needing defensive line help. An upgrade at receiver is still in play, as well as a better running back. Beyond that, depth is needed all over the place.
As we tick down to our pick, I have my eye on a specific receiver. With Denver having a need at receiver, I decided to trade up two spots, flipping one of the seventh-round picks we have to Tampa Bay to get our guy.
And with the 19th pick, the Steelers draft…
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Emeka Egbuka, WR
Emeka Egbuka is one of my favorite receivers in this class. He runs sharp routes and knows how to get open. In addition to that, he also has good speed and can win vertically. I think he is more than just a slot option at the next level, and he would slot in perfectly as the second receiver in this offense.
While I also have my eyes on defensive linemen, that class is deeper, and I think we can land someone good later. Receiver drops off quickly, so I want to lock in a top name and let everything else sort itself out in this draft.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Alfred Collins, DL
My favorite defensive end prospect in this class, Alfred Collins looks like he was built to play base end for the Steelers. He has the size and weight as well as impressive arm length, and he was a productive player on a talented Texas defense.
Collins can step in as the top backup right away and begin learning behind Cameron Heyward. This will allow a stronger rotation which will keep everyone better rested. In the long term, he can be a great all-around defender to transition this line to the next generation.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Dylan Sampson, RB
With the extra second-round pick from the trade of Pickens, I can justify going after a running back earlier. The board didn’t break perfectly, but I settled on Dylan Sampson. He is a tough runner who runs bigger than his size, and he was extremely productive at Tennessee.
You can keep Warren in his third-down role while sharing the workload on running-downs with Sampson. His vision is second to none, and he can find any hole and make the most of it. He is also extremely young with room to grow.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Marcus Mbow, IOL
I am dedicated to keeping this interior offensive line strong, and while Marcus Mbow won’t have an instant role, he can slot in as a long-term starter once Isaac Seumalo leaves next offseason. Mbow is a freak prospect who needs to season his skills as a guard after mostly playing tackle at Purdue.
He can compete as a rookie with Mason McCormick, and if he doesn’t win out he can slot in to start in 2026. This team has continued to invest in the line, and Mbow would be the next step up. He would be a dynamic fit as a guard for this team.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Rylie Mills, DL
I am taking advantage of a deep defensive line class. Even in such a class, had Rylie Mills not been hurt this year, he would have been drafted somewhere on day two. Like Collins, he has the perfect size to play end, and he has all of the tools to develop into a capable starter or high-end backup if given time.
He will likely need a redshirt year to fully recover from his injury, but the team can allocate that given the depth I have added to the room. He can grow into a role over time after he has healed up from his college injury.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Jake Briningstool, TE
It feels like the Steelers are planning on drafting a tight end somewhere on day three, and Jake Briningstool fits the mold of what this team likes. He has good size and can throw a block while also being able to find the soft spot of a defense in the passing game.
This team liked using a lot of multi-tight end sets last year, so Briningstool can slot in as the third option who can serve as a possession receiver and blocker. It isn’t a flashy pick, and I don’t see starter upside, but he is a capable role player on offense.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Malichi Moore, S
The Steelers fill out their safety room with a versatile defender in Malichi Moore. He can play free or strong safety and could even kick inside to the slot down the road. He isn’t flashy or dynamic, but he should be a fine backup and special teams player.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Tyler Shough, QB
While some will say this is too low for Tyler Shough, no matter what his potential is, you know that he is an older rookie who doesn’t fit the mold of a modern quarterback due to his lack of mobility.
The hope would be that Shough can eventually become the second quarterback in a room, and while he has some promising arm talent, he also was in college for a long time and was playing against a lot younger competition. For a seventh-round dart throw though, you could do much worse.
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