![\"Respected](\"https:\/\/www.steelernation.com\/img\/parker\/kabolykaboom008228-544x306.jpg\")
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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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the guy you look at, probably getting paid way too much for what he did last year, was Malik Harrison,\u201d Kaboly told co-host Chris Mack on a recent episode of their podcast. \u201cWhat\u2019s his cap number. Like, $7 [million]? I know that\u2019s not a lot, but what are we talking about here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Per Over the Cap, Kaboly is close. Harrison\u2019s cap charge comes in at $6.79 million. While that\u2019s a pittance compared to a projected salary cap of over $300 million, it\u2019s fair to question if Harrison is worth the money.<\/p>\n
A Week 1 knee injury limited Harrison\u2019s impact until November. Once healthy, he found a role as a thumper in Pittsburgh\u2019s run packages. He also contributed on special teams, bringing a skill set he showcased during his first five years with the Baltimore Ravens.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was good at what he was able to do,\u201d Kaboly said.<\/p>\n
Harrison brings value against the run, but he wasn\u2019t the tone-setter Elandon Roberts was during his Steelers stint. Nor is Harrison an elite special-teamer, like Miles Killebrew or Ben Skowronek.<\/p>\n
As Dave Bryan outlined, cutting Harrison will save $4.75 million before roster displacement. Pittsburgh doesn\u2019t need <\/em>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\u2019s Red Murdock is one possible candidate. Murdock made plays in college, forcing an NCAA-record 17 fumbles. His tape matches that implied physicality.<\/p>\n With Cole Holcomb a pending free agent, the backend of Pittsburgh\u2019s 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\u2019s heavy contract and upcoming March roster bonus, there\u2019s a chance the front of the depth chart won\u2019t be the same, either.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":155772,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n