Big Ben’s decision to determine what the Steelers are able to do in free agency
PITTSBURGH – With an empty field in front of them, $ 55,720,000 in contracts sat on the Heinz Field bench. The postseason Pittsburgh Steelers it was shorter than anyone in the organization expected when they lost the wildcard game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday.
And with retirement approaching its future, perhaps sooner than they had anticipated, it could be the last time the quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, 38, and downtown Maurkice Pouncey, 31, share a bench together.
Each has one year left on their contracts, but both, particularly Roethlisberger and his position on the salary cap for 41.2 million, represent the biggest enigma low-season facing the Steelers. Pittsburgh must build for the future as they are tied to their past.
A team known for its stability will be challenged this spring by the cost in the salary cap of its veterans, which will force the Steelers to perform a complete reconstruction or other round of extensions and restructurings to delay the salary cap charges one more year and keep the window open for Roethlisberger to a Super Bowl.
“It’s very difficult,” the defensive tackle said Cameron Heyward. “Every year, the team looks completely different. I’m grateful that everyone in this locker room came to work, to sacrifice, their families too. It’s not been our year. We did great things, but we didn’t achieve our goal. It hurts me to know we will lose players. “
The Steelers, led by executive Omar Khan, they are known for their ability to restructure contracts and distribute charges with extensions. However, this task becomes increasingly difficult with players in the final years of their careers and with a lower capitalization.
Without any restructuring, veterans Roethlisberger, Pouncey, Heyward, David DeCastro, Stephon Tuitt, Joe Haden and Steve Nelson take 71% of a projected wage cap of $ 182,400,000, a cap reduced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s totally possible for me to go next year,” Heyward noted after Sunday’s defeat. “I don’t know what to expect. We’re in unexplored territory, to say the least, and changes need to be made. That’s part of the game. We all have to fight that.”
Roethlisberger’s salary alone accounts for more than 40% of the 2021 cap, A significant cost for a team with 19 unrestricted free agents and a handful more restricted and with restricted exclusive rights.
Of those free agents, five started at least one game on the offensive and five on the defensive. Two more are the pillars of special equipment, included Jordan Berry.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is scheduled to hit the market for the first time in his career, but on Sunday night he expressed his desire to stay in Pittsburgh.
“I’d love to stay. I built a solid foundation. I love coach (Mike) Tomlin and coach Ike (Hilliard), everyone around me. They’ve helped change the way I am.” .
But the Steelers may not be able to hold him back.
Even without retaining any of the free agents, the Steelers are projected to be nearly 31 million above the limit with 35 players in the roster, according to roster management system ESPN. This means that free agents like Smith-Schuster, Mike Hilton, Cam Sutton or even Bud Dupree, will probably leave.
The maximum the Steeles could reduce Roethlisberger’s blow in 2021 is 19 million, either through a retirement or an extension with a restructuring to distribute their base salary and staff bonus. But the $ 22.5 million apportionment? This money is spent, and it is money that cannot be used to strengthen areas that urgently need it, such as the offensive line, runner, and internal supporter positions, to begin with.
Roethlisberger pointed out after the match that he has not decided on his future, although an earlier report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, Stressed that the quarterback intends to fulfill the last year of his contract. Big Ben’s decision will determine how much — or how little — the Steelers are able to do in free agency.