The Pittsburgh Steelers are enjoying a strong season, holding a 10-3 record as they approach their Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. They lead the AFC North and look poised to be serious contenders in the postseason. As the 2024 season nears its end, General Manager Omar Khan and the team will shift their focus to building a squad for 2025 that could ultimately bring home the Lombardi Trophy.
Building and maintaining a successful NFL team is a complex task, involving considerations like player morale, salary cap, free agency, the NFL Draft, and trades. One of the most challenging areas is managing the salary cap, as players often seek contract extensions, and fans expect key free agents to return. Fortunately for all 32 NFL teams, the salary cap is expected to rise again in 2025.
In 2024, the NFL’s salary cap was set at $255.4 million, a significant increase from the previous year. Now, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the cap is projected to rise by another eight percent in 2025. Fowler reported that while a precise figure wasn’t decided at the NFL owners’ meeting, many team officials anticipate the cap will reach approximately $275 million, up from $255.4 million in 2024.
This increase benefits the Steelers and every other NFL team, as a higher cap allows for more flexibility in building a competitive roster. With the cap rise, positions like wide receiver are expected to see even higher salaries than in the previous offseason.
For 2025, the Steelers currently have just over $225 million allocated against the cap, though this could change. Teams have the ability to release players or restructure contracts to free up space. Two major free agents for the Steelers are quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Wilson, signed to a one-year deal for 2024, and Fields, acquired from the Bears and with his fifth-year option declined, will both become free agents after the season.
Debate has been intense among fans over which quarterback the Steelers should retain. While it initially seemed the team would have to choose between the two, the expected $20 million cap increase in 2025 makes it more feasible to keep both, assuming they both want to stay in Pittsburgh. However, Fields would likely have to accept another year as a backup.
The Steelers will face additional key decisions on offense, particularly regarding running back Najee Harris. The team declined Harris’ fifth-year option, which surprised many, but Harris is on track for his fourth straight 1,000-yard season and has been remarkably durable. Other teams will likely pursue him, making it possible that 2024 could be his last season in Pittsburgh. The decision to re-sign him will be difficult, especially with Jaylen Warren, another pending free agent, who may be seen as a more versatile option for the future.
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