How will the Steelers spend their remaining cap space?

Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been active in free agency. Following a week of near inactivity, with non-blockbuster signings such as bringing back veterans David Johnson and Landry Jones, Pittsburgh has cracked open the piggy bank has made several deals to add roster depth at key positions.

But are the Steelers done spending? It appears their frugal ways have put them in an interesting spot as opposed to other teams in the league:

If Pittsburgh has the cash to spend, one might ask, how should they spend it?

Here are a few ideas for how the team can make the most of their leftover money.

Extend Alejandro Villanueva

Here’s an interesting storyline this offseason: do the Steelers do a long-term deal with left tackle Alejandro Villanueva?

“Big Al” is currently under an exclusive rights free agent contract stemming from the two-year futures contract he signed back in 2015. (We went into detail about futures contracts here, if you care to read more about them.)

In 2018 he will be a restricted free agent, should the Steelers stand pat and keep Ben’s blindside protector “on the cheap” through the next two seasons. However, all signs indicate that Kevin Colbert and the organization have made Villanueva a priority this offseason and would like to sign him to a multi-year deal. With several starting offensive lineman signed through 2019 (Ramon Foster is signed through 2018) it would make sense for the Steelers to solidify this unit for the foreseeable future.

Extend Stephon Tuitt

The Steelers defensive end enters his final season of his rookie deal signed back in 2014 and could become an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

I would fully expect the franchise to make their usual “year ahead planning” and sign Tuitt to a contract extension before the start of the regular season, as we’ve grown accustomed to seeing them do with their younger stars as each enters the final year of their contract. (With exception of quarterbacks, who are typically re-upped with two years remaining.)

Do a long-term deal with Bell

The two aforementioned players are big names who could be lured away if they do not secure new deals before the regular season, but I’d be willing to bet Le’Veon Bell is the primary concern for the front office going forward.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that Bell will get a new deal this season, however. He can be franchise tagged for another season before Pittsburgh is forced to make a major commitment. I could see the team making that commitment, or kicking the tires and waiting until later. I’m sure they’ve played out this scenario in every imaginable way, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they reworked Bell’s tag into a long-term deal this season.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if they wait…

Pay it forward

The Steelers can kick their unspent salary cap to next year. The additional funds could then be used, in 2018, to secure additional free agents or restructure a player such as Ryan Shazier. It’s all but certain that Shazier will be optioned for a fifth-year on his current rookie deal, which is why I don’t see the Steelers moving on a contract this offseason. Instead, they will wait and redo the deal next year, as they have in the past (David DeCastro).

The salary cap has risen incrementally every season for the last several years, which will also give the team some breathing room in regard to pulling the trigger on doing deals now with Bell or Tuitt.

The Draft and DeAngelo Williams

Of course, a portion of the free cap space available will be used on incoming rookies, undrafted players, and bringing in bodies to replace injured players.

That’s where I think a little bit of that money left in the bank could be used to bring back RB DeAngelo Williams. Last season the Steelers waited until after the NFL Draft to re-sign QB Bruce Gradkowski, likely holding out to see how the draft board worked before calling in a veteran.

Williams, if able and willing, could end up in the same situation. If so, the Steelers are prepared… though I don’t see D-Will commanding a large dollar figure at this point in his career.


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