This offseason, I took control of the Pittsburgh Steelers in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with a plan to strengthen the roster, add draft capital, and maintain long-term cap flexibility.

Here’s how the offseason played out.

The Big Picture

• Starting Cap Space: $47.1M
• Final Cap Space: $82.0M

• Players Cut: 2
• Contracts Restructured: 6
• Extensions: 1
• Trades Made: 2
• Free Agents Signed: 5
• Draft Picks: 17

• Overall Grade: A-

Pittsburgh stayed aggressive while also dramatically increasing their available cap space.

Cuts

The Steelers created additional financial flexibility by moving on from two players.

Patrick Queen
+$13.3M

Malik Harrison
+$4.8M

Restructures

Six contracts were reworked to open additional cap space.

T.J. Watt
+$17.5M

D.K. Metcalf
+$15.2M

Jalen Ramsey
+$10.4M

Alex Highsmith
+$5.7M

Pat Freiermuth
+$4.5M

Jaylen Warren
+$1.6M

Extension

Joey Porter Jr.

Pittsburgh locked up Porter Jr. long-term, securing a cornerstone piece in their secondary.

Trades

The Steelers made two trades to add significant draft capital.

Sent Alex Highsmith to TEN
Received 2026 Pick #35, Pick #66

Sent Nick Herbig to CAR
Received 2026 Pick #51, Pick #83, Pick #119

These moves helped Pittsburgh build one of the largest draft classes in the league.

Free Agency

The Steelers added five players in free agency to strengthen the defense and add depth.

Alec Pierce — WR
3yr / $24.5M APY

Jaylen Watson — CB
2yr / $9.2M APY

Nakobe Dean — LB
2yr / $8.5M APY

Jaelan Phillips — EDGE
1yr / $7.6M APY

Bryan Cook — S
1yr / $6.5M APY

These signings focused on strengthening the defense while adding another receiving option.

Draft Class

Pittsburgh added a massive 17-player draft class.

Round 1 — Pick 21
Peter Woods (DL3T, Clemson)

Round 1 — Pick 23
Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)

Round 2 — Pick 51
Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)

Round 2 — Pick 53
AJ Haulcy (S, LSU)

Round 3 — Pick 83
Deontae Lawson (ILB, Alabama)

Round 3 — Pick 85
Chandler Rivers (CBN, Duke)

Round 3 — Pick 91
Deion Burks (WRS, Oklahoma)

Round 3 — Pick 99
Kage Casey (OT, Boise State)

Round 4 — Pick 119
Tyreak Sapp (DL5T, Florida)

Round 4 — Pick 121
Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)

Round 4 — Pick 126
Ar’maj Reed-Adams (OG, Texas A&M)

Round 4 — Pick 135
Nadame Tucker (EDGE, Western Michigan)

Round 5 — Pick 160
Seth McGowan (RB, Kentucky)

Round 6 — Pick 214
Devonta Smith (CB, Notre Dame)

Round 6 — Pick 215
Markel Bell (OT, Miami)

Round 7 — Pick 223
Quintayvionus Hutchins (EDGE, Boston College)

Round 7 — Pick 236
Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)

Final Take

Pittsburgh balanced aggressive roster building with long-term flexibility, dramatically increasing their cap space while building one of the largest draft classes of the offseason.

Run Your Own NFL Offseason

I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel, where you can run your own NFL team, manage the salary cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft.

Try it yourself here:
https://sticktothemodel.com/