Steelers Salary Cap Update after Allen Robinson Release

Pittsburgh Steelers Salary Cap WR Allen Robinson II
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Allen Robinson II runs out of the tunnel for a game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 19, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers put the biggest dent in their salary cap situation yet with Friday’s release of veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson II.

The Steelers cleared $10 million in one fell swoop releasing Robinson. They did add a $1.9 million dead salary cap hit. There was not traditional roster displacement, as the Steelers immediately signed nose tackle Breiden Fehoko after releasing Robinson. Assuming Fehoko is making the veteran minimum, the Steelers will have netted over $9 million in the exchange.

The Steelers had been trying to bring Robinson back a reduced salary cap hit, and still could, but for now, they will be in the market for a starting slot wide receiver, in addition to their other needs.

After the move, the Steelers have about $25.4 million in 2024 offseason salary cap space, according to Steelers Now‘s estimate.

That number can be misleading. Before the start of the 2024 regular season, they will need to pay workout bonuses, sign their rookie class, account for the 52nd and 53rd players on the roster, sign a practice squad, account for players on the injured reserve and leave space for in-season acquisitions.

But for the first time this offseason, the Steelers figure to have enough room to fulfill all their offseason salary obligations. They have a functional $5.4 million in salary cap space to spend on free agents when the signing period opens next Wednesday — or before in the case of quarterback Russell Wilson, who was previously released.

They have several avenues of achieving further savings, as the team can cut, restructure, or extend the contract of several veteran players, including Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2024 SALARY CAP BREAKDOWN

Functional 2024 cap space (est.) $5,440,798 T.J. Watt $30,418,694
Cam Heyward $22,406,250
Estimated 2024 NFL salary cap $255,400,000 Minkah Fitzpatrick $21,355,000
Steelers 2023 salary cap rollover $2,340,191 Diontae Johnson $15,833,334
Steelers 2024 salary cap (est.) $257,740,191 Alex Highsmith $13,933,000
Larry Ogunjobi $13,283,333
Top 51 salaries $217,487,213 James Daniels $11,166,668
Dead cap hits $14,842,153 Isaac Seumalo $10,191,666
Cole Holcomb $7,640,000
Offseason cap space (est.) $25,410,825 Nate Herbig $5,460,000
Chris Boswell $4,720,000
Draft pool $3,232,827 Elandon Roberts $4,667,500
End of rule of 51 $1,830,000 Najee Harris $4,151,460
Practice squad (est.) $4,000,000 Damontae Kazee $3,875,000
In-season buffer/injured reserve (est.) $10,000,00 Kenny Pickett $3,836,701
Workout bonuses (placeholder) $907,200 Broderick Jones $3,778,719
Dan Moore Jr. $3,235,000
Joey Porter Jr. $2,185,988
Pat Freiermuth $1,918,057
George Pickens $1,841,506
Keeanu Benton $1,666,619
DeMarvin Leal $1,414,608
Darnell Washington $1,216,798
Isaiahh Loudermilk $1,135,072
Calvin Austin III $1,111,084
Nick Herbig $1,083,231
Denzel Mims $1,055,000
Connor Heyward $1,023,806
Mark Robinson $1,013,089
Jaylen Warren $989,000
Luq Barcoo $985,000
Marquez Callaway $985,000
Breiden Fehoko (est) $985,000
Dez Fitzpatrick $985,000
Thomas Graham Jr. $985,000
Kyron Johnson $985,000
Jonathan Marshall $985,000
Josiah Scott $985,000
Spencer Anderson $934,446
Kalon Barnes $915,000
Dylan Cook $915,000
Jalen Elliott $915,000
Devery Hamilton $915,000
Nate Meadors $915,000
Ryan McCollum $915,000
Jeremiah Moon $915,000
Darius Rush $915,000
Trenton Thompson $915,000
Rodney Williams II $915,000
Cory Trice $816,109
Tyler Beach $795,000

Salary figures from Steelers Now sources, the NFLPA, and OvertheCap.com.

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