The Pittsburgh Steelers may be considering parting ways with some players before the new league year begins on March 11.
A few players the Steelers might consider moving on from could be on the offensive side of the ball. Thomas Valentine from Pro Football Focus believes that Jonnu Smith should be on Pittsburgh’s list of potential cuts.
“Whether it’s Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Queen, or Jonnu Smith, the Steelers have a few different paths they can take to open up cap space,” Valentine wrote on Monday. “Ramsey and Queen are still potential contributors to the Steelers’ defense, but Smith’s lack of production, and a new head coach and offensive coordinator, mean he could meet his maker. Smith averaged 4.6 yards after the catch per reception in 2025, the lowest mark of his career, and his 46.8 PFF grade was 74th out of 75 tight ends.
‘Cutting Smith would take on $3.8 million in dead money but free up $7 million in cap savings. He still has a lot to give somewhere else, but with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington both on the roster, and Arthur Smith out the door, a place for Smith is harder to justify.”
Smith carries a $10 million cap hit for the upcoming season, which may be too steep for the Steelers, especially considering they already have Freiermuth and Washington at tight end.
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It would be wise for Pittsburgh to part ways with Smith and redirect the $7 million in cap savings to strengthen another position.
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