Going into this offseason, the writing was on the wall for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They had multiple players on expiring contracts and not enough money to re-sign them all. Salary “cap casualties” were on the way.
As we reach early July, the team has made its cuts and now sits at about $13 million under the salary cap according to over the cap dot com.
So, will they make another signing this offseason with the money they’ve cleared for themselves? Post-Gazette Steelers writer Ray Fittipaldo joined The Fan Morning Show Wednesday to review the possibilities.
“I think in any scenario, it’s going to come after they see what they have in [training] camp. But I can see that happening.
I can see Justin Houston coming here for say, $3-4 million on a 1-year deal as a pass rushing specialist. Especially if somebody like Quincy Roche or Cassius Marsh doesn’t stand out in camp.”
Roche was drafted in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft by the Steelers, while Marsh was re-signed to a one-year deal after landing with the Steelers during the 2020 season, having played for the Jaguars and Colts last season as well.
“They have the salary cap space, they’ve got some wiggle room,” Fittipaldo continued. “It could happen at outside linebacker but they also have to hold some cash back for the secondary, too because they some question marks back there.
But if you’re asking me right now, two weeks before camp, which position they would address I think it would be outside linebacker. A veteran like Justin Houston, I’m not saying it’s going to be Justin Houston, but somebody who has a little bit of pedigree, somebody who will come in and provide some pass rush in certain situations, I think that’s the most likely scenario right now.”
Speaking of the defense, Ray thinks that Vince Williams will play a big role in the middle of that unit, particularly in the four games against the Ravens and Browns because they’re two very run-heavy teams.