The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a good spot regarding their 2025 salary cap, but who are the top 10 players who take up the most cap room for the team in the upcoming season?
This article examines the most costly players on the Steelers’ 2025 roster. Player contracts can be complicated, though, with many moving parts. With that in mind, we’ve used the players’ 2025 cap numbers, rather than weighing their guarantees against potential earnings.
10 Most Expensive Players on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 Roster
10) Jaylen Warren, RB | $5.3 million
Jaylen Warren’s rise from undrafted free agent to starter has been remarkable. Entering a contract year, his modest salary and versatile skill set make him a trade candidate following Pittsburgh’s selection of Kaleb Johnson in the 2025 NFL Draft.
9) Darius Slay, S | $10 million
Darius Slay, 34, joined the Steelers in 2025 to bring veteran savvy and ball skills to a young secondary. His cap hit reflects both his résumé and the team’s urgency to upgrade in coverage.
8) Isaac Seumalo, G | $10.1 million
Isaac Seumalo was signed to anchor the interior offensive line, and he’s done just that. Aside from a training camp pectoral injury that sidelined him for the first games of the 2024 season, he has been a steady and reliable starter at guard since joining the team via 2023 NFL free agency. Seumalo earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024.
7) DK Metcalf, WR | $11 million
Acquired via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in March, DK Metcalf gives Pittsburgh a true X-receiver to pair with George Pickens. He’s already among the most physically imposing wideouts in the AFC.
6) Pat Freiermuth, TE | $12.8 million
Pat Freiermuth earned a sizable second contract despite an injury-marred 2024 season. When healthy, he’s a reliable target over the middle and a top-10 tight end in most metrics.
5) Patrick Queen, LB | $17.6 million
A rare splash free agent signing by Pittsburgh in 2024, Patrick Queen crossed AFC North lines to join the Steelers in 2024. The former Ravens linebacker brings speed, physicality, and playoff experience to the middle of the field.
4) Alex Highsmith, EDGE | $18.6 million
Alex Highsmith cashed in with a lucrative extension after a breakout 14.5-sack season in 2023. Paired with Watt, he gives Pittsburgh one of the most feared edge duos in the league.
3) Cam Heyward, DT | $19.6 million
Entering his 15th NFL season, Cam Heyward’s veteran presence and leadership remain invaluable — even as questions swirl about how much longer he’ll play. His cap number still reflects his long-time role as the heart of the Steelers’ defensive line.
2) Minkah Fitzpatrick, S | $22.3 million
Minkah Fitzpatrick’s deal reflects his All-Pro impact at the back end of Pittsburgh’s defense. Though injuries slowed him in 2024, his ability to erase deep threats and flip the field with turnovers keeps him among the NFL’s highest-paid safeties.
1) T.J. Watt, EDGE | $30.4 million
The face of the Steelers’ defense — and one of the league’s premier pass rushers — T.J. Watt carries Pittsburgh’s largest 2025 cap hit. The former Defensive Player of the Year remains the engine of the Steelers’ front seven and shows no signs of slowing down.
