The Pittsburgh Steelers have a league-low $1.6 million in salary cap space heading into free agency. This figure means the freedom to restructure contracts is an absolute priority; however, if the Collective Bargaining Agreement doesn’t pass, Pittsburgh would be in an inconceivable bind.
If the 2020 league year begins without a new labor agreement, the 30 percent rule – a stipulation that governs seasons in which the CBA is expiring – will come into play. This regulation caps year-over-year salary increases at 30 percent and limits how much a team can restructure contracts.
If the CBA is approved, teams will benefit from interim cap flexibility through structuring contracts fortified with bonuses, small first-year cap numbers, and deferred cap ramifications.
For the Steelers, time is of the essence when it comes to keeping as much of a playoff-caliber squad intact. Short of landing an elite, franchise QB before Ben Roethlisberger retires – which the Steelers show no signs of doing – the window to win a championship is about to close. If the CBA does pass, it will allow the team to retain or sign others (B.J. Finney, Nick Vannett) and save them from cutting some key players (Vance McDonald, Zach Banner).
It’s all but official that the Steelers will tag Bud Dupree. According to OvertheCap.com, the cost of the linebacker franchise tag is a cool $16.26 million – placing it on Dupree would put the Steelers over the $14 million salary cap.
Then there comes the issue of JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is still playing on his rookie contract. Since Smith-Schuster was selected in the second round, there is no fifth-year option, and he is eligible to sign a new deal following the 2020 season. Typically, re-signing a Pro Bowl player in the last year of his rookie contract is an offseason priority, but it may take a back seat if a new labor agreement isn’t struck. Not only would the 30 percent rule hinder offseason contract signings, but the concern of a work stoppage could also further complicate the situation.
General manager Kevin Colbert will find a way to resolve this predicament – he always does.
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