NFL free agency is just around the corner, and the Steelers have plenty of decisions to make regarding how they address the number of holes on their roster. And, in order to accomplish everything Omar Khan and Co. want to do over the next several weeks, they'll need to clear some cap space.
However, it appears the most likely cap casualty could be sticking around.
Despite an automatic $10 million in cap space that could be cleared, the Steelers and Allen Robinson have mutual interest working something out so Robinson stays in Pittsburgh in 2024, according to sources. Robinson is due to carry a heavy $11.9 million cap hit in 2024, but only $1.9 million of that is guaranteed. Coming off a season in which Robinson caught 34 passes for 280 yards and no touchdowns, paying him nearly $12 million doesn't make much sense for the Steelers.
But, the solution isn't as simple as cutting Robinson. The Steelers like Robinson and really like what he provided the team in 2023. Not only was he a good veteran player to have in the receiver room, Robinson played a key part as a blocker in the running game. He did everything from blocking cornerbacks on the outside to sticking his nose in the C-gap and taking on a linebacker. There aren’t many guys in the league who are willing to do such things.
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPSmedia) January 23, 2024
This is just one example of how Robinson was constantly used as a blocker in the running game. Many times, he's the guy coming across in motion to either wall off a guy on the edge or even go through the C-gap and even take on a defender much bigger than him. Pretty much, any time the Steelers needed a receiver to throw a key block on a running play, Robinson was called upon most often.
That can be a valuable player in Arthur Smith's run-heavy offense. But, of course, at the right price. Should the Steelers keep Robinson, they could try to offer him a contract extension to lower his 2024 cap hit. However, according to sources, Robinson may even be offered a pay cut, perhaps in the range of earning around $3 million in 2024.
Now, why would Robinson take that kind of a pay cut? First, it would guarantee him more money in 2024. All he's guaranteed now is the $1.9 million, so anything more than that is more money in his pocket. Should he turn that down and the Steelers cut him, there's a belief on Robinson's side of things that he wouldn't earn anything more than veteran minimum in the free agent market. Not only is there not a great market for receivers on the wrong side of 30 years old, but the upcoming draft class is full of talented receivers. Teams aren't going to be looking to pay significant money to lower-tiered receivers when they can potentially draft someone cheaper, younger and perhaps even more talented.
Plus, Robinson loved playing for Mike Tomlin, and it's also believed he loved his role on this team. And, even if Robinson were to take a pay cut that cleared around $9 million in cap space, he's earned over $95 million in his career, according to Spotrac. It's not like he hasn't made a good living throughout his career.
So, with the legal tampering period of free agency just days away, this is why Robinson has not yet been cut while others such as Mitch Trubisky, Chukwuma Okorafor, Pressley Harvin III and Mason Cole have been shown the door. Simply put, the latter four aren't part of the Steelers' plans in 2024, which is why they were cut well ahead of free agency. With Robinson still aboard just before the start of free agency, that should tell you what the Steelers think of him. And, both parties could end up in a win-win situation: The Steelers get to keep a player they like while still clearing some significant cap space while Robinson stays in a role he likes while earning more than he'd get on the open market.
Regardless of how that situation plays out, the Steelers have some other maneuvering to do with the salary cap. Yes, the increase of $30 million from last season sure helps. But, the Steelers currently have only $9.5 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. They'll need more than that to accomplish their goals in free agency. They could feasibly restructure some of the big money contracts or perhaps work out contract extensions for some of the veteran players that only have one year remaining on their contract.
Either way, Khan knows how to work the cap. That'll be the least of the Steelers' worries. And with a free agent class that has plenty of quality players at positions of need such as center, cornerback and inside linebacker, the Steelers will surely utilize free agency once again to plug certain areas of need.
While Robinson's current salary gets in the way of addressing those needs, if both parties get their way, they'll both reap the benefits.
