STEELERS

The contract details for both Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington are out, providing a clearer picture of the Steelers' current cap situation and what they're committed to over the long term.

After getting both deals done, the Steelers are operating with $6.03 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. That's the third-fewest amount of cap space in the NFL, though there are ways to create more room ahead of the season (more on that later).

Here's the full breakdown of Herbig's new five-year, $103.8 million contract (which includes the four-year, $100 million extension):

• 2026: $5.43 million cap hit ($1.33 million base salary, $4.1 million signing bonus)

• 2027: $25.24 million cap hit ($21 million base salary, $3.94 million signing bonus, $300K workout bonus)

• 2028: $22.24 million cap hit ($11 million base salary, $3.94 million signing bonus, $7 million roster bonus, $300K workout bonus)

• 2029: $22.81 million cap hit ($12.57 million base salary, $3.94 million signing bonus, $6 million roster bonus, $300K workout bonus)

• 2030: $28.14 million cap hit ($17.9 million base salary, $3.94 million signing bonus, $6 million roster bonus, $300K workout bonus)

Herbig's 2026 cap hit increased by only $1.58 million with this contract. In addition, all of the guaranteed money will be paid out in 2026 and 2027, aside from the prorated signing bonus money that remains on future cap years. So, if the Steelers wanted to move on from Herbig after the 2027 season and did so before his $7 million roster bonus is due at the start of the 2028 league year, they would take on only $11.81 million in dead cap.

This is a typical structure for a Steelers contract. The vast majority of the guaranteed money is front-loaded, something the front office has long preferred. It's also worth noting that this contract is a prime candidate for a future restructure. With relatively little of the guaranteed money tied to the signing bonus, the Steelers can easily convert portions of those large base salaries into signing bonus money to create cap space (that's how contracts are restructured).

Here's the breakdown of Washington's new five-year, $45.9 million contract:

• 2026: $3.74 million cap hit ($1.25 million base salary, $2.22 million signing bonus)

• 2027: $11.3 million cap hit ($9 million base salary, $2 million signing bonus, $300K workout bonus)

• 2028: $9.75 million cap hit ($4.95 million base salary, $2 million signing bonus, $2.5 million roster bonus, $300K workout bonus)

• 2029: $10.37 million cap hit ($5.57 million base salary, $2 million signing bonus, $2.5 million roster bonus, $300K workout bonus)

• 2030: $11 million cap hit ($6.2 million base salary, $2 million signing bonus, $2.5 million roster bonus, $300K workout bonus)

Unlike Herbig, Washington's 2026 cap hit decreased by about $424,000 with this new contract. But, like Herbig, all of the guaranteed money -- aside from the signing bonus prorations -- will be paid out in 2026 and 2027. So, after the 2027 season, the only guaranteed money remaining on the final three years of Washington's contract would be the $6 million in prorated signing bonus money.

One very simple way to create more cap space is to cut Malik Harrison, which would immediately clear $4.75 million toward the 2026 cap. With the signing of Jamin Davis last week, the Steelers have another guy who could be a thumper in run defense and contribute on special teams.