Current Steelers not counting on the salary cap who could make the 53-man roster
It’s very interesting how the NFL salary cap works during the offseason. In order for teams to be salary cap compliant, only the top 51 salaries count against the cap until teams make the cut down to 53 players. For this reason, there are a number of players, typically more than two, not counting against the salary cap on every team who are likely to make the roster.
So why is the number 51 players? Honestly, I think when the NFL first studied the issue they found that the top 51 salaries during the offseason accurately portrayed the total of what the 53 contracts ultimately were when the season began. Regardless of the reason, it’s simply how it works for all NFL teams.
One of the things that must be accounted for with the salary cap when the time comes is that the Steelers will be adding two more contracts to their total liabilities. While that seems like it could be a pretty big negative, it honestly could swing the other direction as the Steelers have a significant number of players not currently in the top 51 who have a realistic chance of making the 53 man roster come September. In fact, I have a list of 17 players who could all realistically make the Steelers roster, ultimately displacing players who are currently in the top 51 who may not make the team (a subject I will also cover in the future).
To look at who these players are, I broke them into three different categories. The first group are players who have been on the Steelers 53-man roster in the past who are currently outside the top 51 contracts.
Cory Trice
Spencer Anderson
Ryan McCollum
Jeremiah Moon
Jonathan Ward
Beanie Bishop
Dylan Cook
Logan Lee
While it would be difficult for all of these players to make the Steelers 53-man roster, each of them individually have a legitimate shot. Players such as Cory Trice, Spencer Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Jeremiah Moon, and Beanie Bishop, all of which who started games last season for the Steelers, would be the more likely players to end up on the 53-man roster. Others such as Jonathan Ward and Dylan Cook who have spent more time on the practice squad than the active roster are ones that are a possibility but much less guaranteed.
The next group of players are ones who were either drafted by the Steelers or seem to have the best chance as an undrafted free agents to make the team as rookies who are outside the top 51.
Yahya Black
Will Howard
Carson Bruener
Donte Kent
Roc Taylor
Sebastian Castro
Once again, I doubt every one of these players makes the 53-man roster to start the season, but if you told me four out of the six did I would not be surprised. In fact, I think every one of these players as a legitimate shot to earn their way onto the roster. And for everyone of these players that does make it, one less contract that is more expensive would be off the books.
It should also be noted that 2025 fourth round draft pick Jack Sawyer is currently in the 51st spot. Should the Steelers add a player with a larger salary, he would be another player on this list.
The final group of players who could make the Steelers 53-man roster but are not in the top 51 contracts are players who have played a significant number of games for other NFL franchises.
Eku Leota
Donald Parham
Trey Sermon
I admit these last three names are players who probably have a longer shot of making the roster. But still, their NFL experience could find them making their way onto the team.
Do I think all 17 players listed above who are not in the top 51 contracts will make the roster when the Steelers start the 2025 season? I don’t see any way they all do. But I could realistically see 10 of them do so. If this were the case, then the Steelers will be replacing eight more expensive contracts with ones that carry a lower value. Could this create a significant savings on the salary cap? Probably not, but if it balances out the Steelers having to add two more contracts that weren’t accounted for otherwise than it would be a nice bonus.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s I hope CB Cory Trice Jr and CB Joey Porter Jr. start on the Steelers defense together on the Steelers defense in 2025 and will the Steelers use CB/S Sabastian Castro as a chest piece in the Steelers defense and is CB Beanie Bishop Jr. is still the Steelers starting slot CB .and what will the Steelers use Logan Lee for in the Steelers defense this why the N.F.L. shuold have four preseason games and also use the U.F.L. so you can send and see what the players can do after ten games
Ed, you are nothing if not persistent. I recall the original USFL had an 18-game season without a bye week, so maybe the NFL could remove the bye week and add back an exhibition game? I still think the UFL should begin their season a bit earlier in the year to aid potential NFL evaluation of UFL players.
Just making sure that you are calling for the 7th round pick with 6 NFL games to start over the All-Pro corner they signed this offseason? Yes, Slay is 34, but hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down. He has as many Pro Bowls as Trice has games played. I’m not saying if Trice is playing better and deserve the job he shouldn’t get it, but to assume that he’s going to be the guy is difficult.
Dave, it’s just Ed being Ed. I reminded him of this a bit ago. C’est le vie.
Could Ward and Sermon both make the practice squad and bump out Shampklin?
Yes, especially since they cut Shampklin a few weeks ago when they signed Sermon. That’s why he didn’t make the list.
I completely forgot, dumb question. Thanks.
Not dumb! It’s hard to remember all the offseason moves when it comes to “future” level contracts.
Problem is, I remember reading of Shampklin’s wavier on this site, now I can’t remember who wrote the article… must have been Jeff.
Just kidding. Honest.
MattCat having an Ed moment.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s I know the 18 games schedule is coming real soon and having two bye weeks make sense with plus the 10 days off after Thursday night games but it will hurt the undrafted free agents and also the draft picks to show what they can do and that’s why the N.F.L. shuold get together with the U.F.L. and have the undrafted players to play the 10 games in the U.F.L. so the team can have more than enough film on those undrafted players the Steelers signed and don’t for get about the talent in H.B.C.U. and the N.F.L. international player pathway for example Germany, Italy, Mexico
And Australia, for punters.
I could see as many 7 of these players making the final 53.
From these six camp battles, at least one and maybe more than one will see both players make the 53. I hope they continue to raise the floor at the bottom of the roster so that it also raises the ceiling at the top.