The Pittsburgh Steelers sit $14,790,782 below the 2026 salary cap following the 2026 NFL Draft and the tendering of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The team tendered Rodgers for $15.105 million, consuming nearly half of its pre-draft cap space. Projections indicate upcoming signings will push the team nearly $5 million over the cap without adjustments.
With the 2026 NFL Draft complete, the Steelers added 10 drafted players and six undrafted free agents, none yet counting fully against the Rule of 51 cap beyond minimum base salaries. The team recently signed wide receiver Brandon Johnson to a one-year deal and released wide receiver/quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. As of Friday morning after the draft, published May 1, the Steelers hold $14,790,782 in available cap space, sufficient to sign the full draft class and undrafted free agents, estimated at nearly $4.7 million including offsets, per Over the Cap projections for the draftees. The unrestricted free agent tender to Aaron Rodgers imposes a $15.105 million cap charge until he retires, signs elsewhere, or agrees to a new Steelers contract. Looking ahead, further costs include a practice squad, extra active roster spots, injury settlements, workout bonuses, injured reserve players, and an in-season buffer, projected at roughly $16 million total. After accounting for all anticipated offseason expenses, the Steelers face an estimated negative $4,797,118 in effective cap space. To avoid exceeding the cap before the 2026 regular season, the team may pursue contract terminations, restructures, or trades, with candidates including tight end Pat Freiermuth, wide receiver DK Metcalf, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, inside linebacker Malik Harrison, and quarterback Mason Rudolph. Contract extensions loom for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., tight end Darnell Washington, outside linebacker Nick Herbig, defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, and kicker Chris Boswell. Safety Jalen Ramsey's $17.229 million cap hit assumes proration of his $7.4 million August option bonus over five years; adjustments could alter this figure.
