For Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Malik Harrison, the two-year contract he signed ahead of the 2025 season might instead turn into a one-year stay. With a new coaching staff and the chance to free up additional cap space, beat writer Mark Kaboly thinks Harrison is a name under the microscope as a Steelers cap casualty.
“I think the guy you look at, probably getting paid way too much for what he did last year, was Malik Harrison,” Kaboly told co-host Chris Mack on a recent episode of their podcast. “What’s his cap number. Like, $7 [million]? I know that’s not a lot, but what are we talking about here?”
Per Over the Cap, Kaboly is close. Harrison’s cap charge comes in at $6.79 million. While that’s a pittance compared to a projected salary cap of over $300 million, it’s fair to question if Harrison is worth the money.
A Week 1 knee injury limited Harrison’s impact until November. Once healthy, he found a role as a thumper in Pittsburgh’s run packages. He also contributed on special teams, bringing a skill set he showcased during his first five years with the Baltimore Ravens.
“He was good at what he was able to do,” Kaboly said.
Harrison brings value against the run, but he wasn’t the tone-setter Elandon Roberts was during his Steelers stint. Nor is Harrison an elite special-teamer, like Miles Killebrew or Ben Skowronek.
As Dave Bryan outlined, cutting Harrison will save $4.75 million before roster displacement. Pittsburgh doesn’t need that money, but could spend it better elsewhere. With a dozen draft picks, the Steelers could use a Day Three pick on inside linebacker depth to replace Harrison. Buffalo’s Red Murdock is one possible candidate. Murdock made plays in college, forcing an NCAA-record 17 fumbles. His tape matches that implied physicality.
With Cole Holcomb a pending free agent, the backend of Pittsburgh’s inside linebacker room could look different in 2026. Carson Bruener will return after a standout rookie year on special teams, but the backups around him may not return. Of course, with Patrick Queen’s heavy contract and upcoming March roster bonus, there’s a chance the front of the depth chart won’t be the same, either.
