Expiring Contracts and Contract Extensions - Discussion

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

The fact that Gainwell was our best offensive player is a damning indictment of the roster building and game planning. He had the 6th most yards from scrimmage and 1 TD on the Super Bowl champs the year before.

That team with Saquon barkley? Yeah,, are you taking him off the field?

 

[Punxsutawney]

I think having an offensive minded head coach changes ls everything.
Mccarthy might get more out of Smith, Jones, etc than tomlins staff ever did. Or he might just cut them

When he gets his oc and dc together that will tell us the direction he is going to go in.

I am a bit more excited Than I was a few days ago. In my lifetime we have never had a coach that focuses on offense. The league went that way a decade ago. We might dare I say be relevant again

Given the fact the Steelers have had former DCs as head coaches for 50+ years, McCarthy is much more of a change than many fans want to acknowledge.

There is potential for an upgrade here from what we've seen from Tomlin for a long time, but will it be enough to get them to where they need to go?

I'm skeptical, but it largely depends on what McCarthy, Khan and whoever they hire at OC are able to do at the QB position within the next few years.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Given the fact the Steelers have had former DCs as head coaches for 50+ years, McCarthy is much more of a change than many fans want to acknowledge.

There is potential for an upgrade here from what we've seen from Tomlin for a long time, but will it be enough to get them to where they need to go?

I'm skeptical, but it largely depends on what McCarthy, Khan and whoever they hire at OC are able to do at the QB position within the next few years.

What's encouraging is his last two OCs are head coaches (Moore and Schottenheimer). Joe Philbin was also a long-time OC under McCarthy and had a lot of success.

 

[Chadman]

QB Mason Rudolph (in a 2-year, $7.5M deal)- Good deal for the Steelers so he stays.
TE Jonnu Smith (extended into 2026, set to make $7M )- I imagine he's the first cut
TE Darnell Washington (final year of 4-year rookie contract as a 3rd rounder)- They'll extend him for certain

WR Bennett Skowronek (final year of 2-year deal, making $2.225M)- Probably keep him due to ST.
OL Spencer Anderson (final year of 4-year rookie contract as a 7th rounder)- They'll keep, maybe extend moderately
OL Broderick Jones (final year of 4-year roookie contract as a first rounder, we have option for 1-year deal at around $17.5M if we want it for 2027)- Interesting choice- wouldn't be surprised if OT is a high draft pick
OL Calvin Anderson (final year of free agent deal, making around $2M)- They'll try to keep him

DL Cameron Heyward (final year of big extension, roster bonus for 2026 of $12.950M roster bonus in March, base salary of $1.3M)
DL Keeanu Benton (final year of 4-year rookie contract as 2nd rounder)- Extend. McCarthy likes to win in the trenches

LB Nick Herbig (final year of 4-year rookie contract as 4th rounder)- Extend.
LB Malik Harrison (final year of free agent contract, set to make $4.750M this year)- It'll be either Harrison or Queen - but not both
LB Patrick Queen (final year of free agent contract, roster bonus of $2.5M + base salary of $10.830M for 2026)

CB Joey Porter Jr. (final year of rookie contract as 2nd rounder)- long term extension
CB Brandin Echols (final year of free agent contract, making $3M this year)- might be expendable
CB Corey Trice (final year of 4-year rookie contract as 7th rounder)- Highly unlikely

K Chris Boswell (final year of deal, scheduled to make $3.120M this year)- Extend

I would not be surprised to see Gainwell let walk- Warren does the same job & Caleb Johnson needs to be incorporated into the team.