The Steelers have not been idle so far this offseason. Already they have parted ways with backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, tackle Chuks Okorafor, punter Pressley Harvin, and most recently center Mason Cole. Last week we broke down the Steelers entire roster from a contract and salary cap standpoint heading into the offseason. With news this week that the NFL Salary Cap will be over $255 million for 2024, the Steelers current roster is within cap compliance so no more moves need to be made before the start of the new league year on March 13. However, there are several key players that have roster bonuses due early in the 2024 League Year that the Steelers will need to make a decision on within the next few weeks.
Allen Robinson
The Steelers acquired Robinson by trade from the Rams and he was largely invisible on the field last year. Used mostly as a blocker from the slot, you absolutely knew a running play was coming when Robinson came in motion across the formation to block the edge. He is due a roster bonus on March 18 and would save the Steelers $10 million if he is cut before then. This one seems like a no-brainer. Slot receiver is absolutely a position this team needs more production from, and Robinson is clearly past his prime.
Patrick Peterson
Peterson came to the Steelers in free agency last year. He clearly has lost a step on the outside and can’t keep up with receivers down the field. His tackling resembles more of a matador than a football player. Peterson’s positional versatility does have some value in a defensive backfield where Joey Porter Jr and Cory Trice are the only players currently under contract beyond 2024. He is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 17. The Steelers would save $6.8 million against the cap if he is cut before then. Reports are that the Steelers may ask Peterson to take a pay cut to stay with the team.
Larry Ogunjobi
Ogunjobi was signed to a 3-year extension last offseason. This will be the second year of his contract and carries a higher cap hit than next season. Ogunjobi is due a $4.7m roster bonus on March 17. He did prove to be more durable last season and played in all 17 games and was on the field for over two-thirds of the team’s defensive snaps. The Steelers could save about $6 million by cutting Ogunjobi prior to March 17, but it seems more likely they will restructure his contract and convert his roster bonus and some base salary money to a signing bonus to pro-rate the money over the last two years of his deal. This could save about $4.2 million in cap space for 2024.
Diontae Johnson
This is the biggest wild card of the group. Diontae has the Steelers highest cap hit on the offensive side of the ball at $15.8 million. He has a $3 million roster bonus due on March 20. The Steelers could save $10 million against the cap if he is cut or traded before March 20. Since Johnson is entering the final year of his contract, he could also be a candidate for an extension, but those talks could get tenuous. Does Johnson want to stay in Pittsburgh? His body language and on-field demeanor at times have suggested otherwise. The last time the Steelers negotiated with Johnson, he held out of training camp for more money and his production since Ben Roethlisberger retired has not matched his lofty contract status. Johnson reportedly wanted to be paid in the $20 million per year range the last time he negotiated a contract, and the Steelers would be crazy to pay him that much. If Johnson does not want to stay in Pittsburgh long-term, the best move would be to try to trade him before March 20.
