The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun the process of creating financial flexibility as they enter an offseason full of salary cap challenges.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Steelers restructured star defensive lineman Cam Heyward's contract, converting his base salary and roster bonus to a signing bonus. The move creates $7 million in cap space.
The #Steelers did a basic conversion restructure on DL Cam Heyward’s contract, source said, and he’ll still make $10.5M this season. But roster bonus and base were converted to a signing bonus and created about $7M in cap room.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 22, 2021
Heyward is unlikely to be the only Steelers vet to have his deal restructured.
Pittsburgh is all but guaranteed to restructure quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's contract in the event the Steelers commit to “Big Ben” as the starter in 2021. Defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt is another candidate to have his current deal restructured.
The Steelers are in a tough spot heading into free agency. Restructuring Roethlisberger's deal would give Pittsburgh breathing room, but general manager Kevin Colbert might not have interest in spreading the money out. It is possible the Steelers could take on his $19 million cap hit, because they would still get back to the expected salary floor.
Even after coming to a decision on Roethlisberger, however, the Steelers are likely to make more cuts, possibly in the secondary. Plus, Pittsburgh will almost certainly be unable to sign outside linebacker Bud Dupree, and could lose a pair of offensive skill position players in running back James Conner and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva is also slated to be a free agent.
Colbert and the rest of the Steelers front office have a lot of work ahead of them. But they are getting the jump on creating some flexibility by restructuring Heyward's deal.
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