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Steelers $5.3m under Salary Cap after Official Figure Released

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the black, but still do not have much room to operate with, after the 2021 NFL salary cap was set at $182.5 million on Wednesday.

The Steelers have approximately $5.3 million in cap space following the reduction of the salary cap, according to salary figures from OvertheCap.com and Steelers Now analysis. That comes after the retirements of tight end Vance McDonald and center Maurkice Pouncey, the restructuring of the contracts of defensive lineman Cam Heyward and fullback Derek Watt and the voidable extension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

While being in the black prevents the Steelers from having to make an immediate move before the start of the new league year on March 17 — something that at least 10 teams will need to do — they will need approximately double that figure to complete their business this offseason.

The Steelers will need about $10 million to sign their 2021 NFL Draft class, add the 52nd and 53rd players to the payroll and sign a practice squad. Only the top 51 contract count toward the team’s cap figure in the offseason, but all money spent eventually must be accounted for by the start of the season.

The team has a few moves it can still make to create space under the cap. The contracts of defensive end Stephon Tuitt and kicker Chris Boswell can be restructured and cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steven Nelson and guard David DeCastro could have their contracts extended, through actual or voidable years.