By this point of the offseason, NFL teams have all but wrapped up sweeping changes to their respective rosters. But, the post-June 1 deadline gives teams an opportunity to re-engage certain markets to make some potentially significant additions just weeks before training camp begins.
Prior to June 1, player contracts that are either released or traded accelerate all remaining salary cap charges into the current league year. Waiting until after June 1 to cut or trade a player allows teams to divide the accelerated charges across two seasons. While financially the end result is the same, it provides teams with more cap flexibility in the current year.
The Steelers have addressed a number of needs on their roster throughout the offseason, including sweeping changes at quarterback, two impact additions at inside linebacker and using three draft picks to beef up the offensive line. Cornerback was also upgraded by trading for Donte Jackson, but that created a need at receiver as Diontae Johnson was shipped out of town in the deal.
Because of that need, the Steelers have long been connected to a number of impact receivers in trade rumors, including Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Courtland Sutton, D.K. Metcalf and Tee Higgins. Many times those rumors have been shot down, either by 49ers general manager John Lynch stating how much San Francisco wants to sign Aiyuk to a long-term deal, Aiyuk's agent embarrassing NFL "insiders" on Twitter/X or trusted reporters in Denver pouring water on the Broncos wanting to move on from Sutton.
But, because the calendar is about to roll past June 1, rumors will begin to swirl once again. If any of these teams were to wait until after June 1 to trade any of these receivers, it saves them significant cap space. If the 49ers traded Samuel prior to June 1 this year, they'd inherit $21.7 million in dead cap. But, that dead cap number drops all the way to $6.632 million should they wait until after June 1, saving just over $22 million in cap space for this year.
It's the same principle with Sutton in Denver. If the Broncos traded Sutton prior to June 1, they'd inherit $7.65 million in dead cap as opposed to waiting until after June 1 in which that number is cut in half since the remaining signing bonus would be spread out over two seasons.
Should the 49ers trade Aiyuk, they'd be completely ridding themselves of his $14.1 million cap hit since it is all guaranteed as a fifth-year option. Whichever team would acquire Aiyuk would be taking on that $14.1 million in cap space. It benefits the 49ers to wait until after June 1 to make any trade. Should they decide to move on from Samuel, they save cap space this season and could more feasibly give Aiyuk the gigantic contract he's seeking.
Whether the Steelers truly engage in talks with teams about any of these receivers or choose to stand pat with what they have internally, they will undoubtedly be in rumors once again.
