Yes, the Steelers have the cap space to extend T.J. Watt
Aaron Rodgers is finally here — and he’s remarkably affordable.
Ahead of minicamp, the veteran quarterback signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers that’s worth up to $19.5 million — however, it won’t break the $15 million threshold unless the Steelers make it past the wild card round of the playoffs, and/or Rodgers wins NFL MVP.
Going off of Rodgers’ $14.15 million cap hit in 2025, he’ll be the 21st highest-paid at his position in the upcoming season, below names such as Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, and Justin Fields. Rodgers ranks just above Daniels Jones’ $14 million with the Colts this season, as well as former Steeler Russell Wilson’s $10.5 million with the Giants.
Rodgers’ contract leaves the Steelers with about $18,893,724 left in cap space — 24th most in the NFL — when averaging the amounts found on Over the Cap and Spotrac.
Rodgers is now the Steelers’ sixth-highest cap hit in 2025; the top five are as follows:
- T.J. Watt (around $30.4 million)
- Minkah Fitzpatrick (around $22.4 million)
- Cam Heyward (around $19.7 million)
- Alex Highsmith (around $18.6 million)
- Patrick Queen (around $17.7 million)
Yep, all defense. Rodgers, even on his widely-considered cheap deal, has the highest cap hit of a Steelers offensive player in 2025. The next closest is Pat Freiermuth’s $12.9 million.
It’s worth noting that the Steelers’ top 51 cap hits currently include two punters (both Corliss Waitman and Cameron Johnston) as well as roster bubble players such as Cordarrelle Patterson and Dean Lowry, meaning the Steelers total cap space could increase after cut-down day. The team has already signed its entire rookie class.
Averaging OTC and Spotrac numbers yet again, and the Steelers are expected to have around $98,576,245 available in cap space in 2026 (third most in the league), where the top five cap hits will be as follows:
- D.K. Metcalf (around $31 million)
- Minkah Fitzpatrick (around $24.5 million)
- Alex Highsmith (around $20.1 million)
- Cam Heyward (around $19.2 million)
- Patrick Queen (around $17.2 million)
Of course, the Steelers have a large list of names who are currently off the books in 2026 as they enter a contract year, headlined by T.J. Watt (who is currently holding out for a new deal), as well as Calvin Austin III, DeShon Elliott, Jaylen Warren, and others.
In short, the Steelers have the cap space in 2026 to sign whoever they want to an extension, or add outside talent. And in 2025, the team’s available $18.9 million still gives them some flexibility for roster moves — and they can always structure deals to push cap hits to a later year with more available space.
Without paying a quarterback big money in 2025, the Steelers are in a good place cap-wise entering the new season.