The NFL salary cap is often discussed in broad terms, but looking at where a team allocates its biggest cap charges can reveal a lot about its priorities. As of this publication, and according to Over The Cap, the Pittsburgh Steelers have concentrated much of their spending on star power, particularly on defense, while also making significant investments to reshape their offense.
Leading the way is no surprise.
T.J. Watt remains the face of the franchise
At a $42 million cap hit, T.J. Watt sits comfortably atop Pittsburgh’s payroll.
The number may seem staggering, but elite edge rushers don’t come cheap. Watt has consistently been one of the NFL’s premier defensive players and remains the centerpiece of a Steelers defense expected to carry the team once again in 2026.
When you have a player capable of changing games with a single play, paying top dollar becomes easier to justify. However, Watt has seen a decline in play over the last season or two, though 2025’s setbacks were largely due to an accident when the star defender had his lung punctured during a routine treatment.
D.K. Metcalf headlines Pittsburgh’s offensive investment
The Steelers’ biggest offensive expenditure belongs to wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, whose $31 million cap hit ranks second on the roster.
After acquiring Metcalf to become their true No. 1 receiver, Pittsburgh clearly views him as a foundational piece for the offense moving forward. The Steelers haven’t invested this heavily in a wide receiver in years, making Metcalf one of the franchise’s most significant financial commitments.
The team will be looking for this investment to pay off in 2026, after Metcalf led a struggling passing attack with 850 receiving yards last season.
Aaron Rodgers isn’t breaking the bank
Aaron Rodgers checks in third with a $22.5 million cap hit. Considering Rodgers’ resume and what veteran quarterbacks often command, that figure is relatively manageable.
Pittsburgh structured the deal to remain competitive without sacrificing future financial flexibility, giving the Steelers a veteran quarterback at a cost well below many of the league’s highest-paid signal callers.
Currently, fifteen other quarterbacks have a higher 2026 cap hit than Rodgers!
Defense still dominates the payroll
Beyond Watt, several defensive stars make up the remainder of the top cap hits.
Alex Highsmith carries a $20.102 million charge while last year’s big acquisition, Jalen Ramsey, comes in at $19.5 million.
Patrick Queen follows at just over $17.1 million, with veteran Cameron Heyward still representing tremendous value at $13.675 million.
With the top contracts all doled out for defenders, fans are awaiting the payoff. Perhaps with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham at the helm this season, the defense will finally start paying off?
Offense rounds out the top ten
Michael Pittman Jr., who reworked his contract after being traded to the Steelers, enters this list at $8.867 million. He gives Pittsburgh two receivers among its ten largest contracts.
Running back Jaylen Warren‘s $7.033 million cap hit reflects the organization’s confidence in him after earning a larger role in recent seasons.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth, also following a restructure, rounds out the list at $6.943 million, continuing to provide solid production at a relatively team-friendly number.
What stands out most?
Perhaps the biggest takeaway isn’t simply who appears on the list, but who doesn’t.
Outside of Metcalf, Rodgers, Pittman, Warren, and Freiermuth, Pittsburgh’s biggest financial commitments remain on the defensive side of the ball. Six of the team’s ten largest cap hits belong to defenders, reinforcing a philosophy that has defined the franchise for decades.
The Steelers have certainly added offensive firepower over the last two offseasons, but financially, the identity of the team still starts with its defense.
Right now, the biggest bargains on the team lie with the offensive linemen, a majority of whom are playing under cap-friendly rookie contracts. That may change soon, depending on their, with Broderick Jones the biggest question mark heading into a contract season. While Jones’ future is up in the air, he’s followed by Zach Frazier, who has played very well during his first two seasons in the league and won’t be up for any consideration of an extinction until 2027.