NFL fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief. On Sunday, the NFLPA voted to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement, meaning big changes to the league starting in 2020. We will dig more into those changes and how they impact the Pittsburgh Steelers over the next week.
But the most interesting part of all this is how it will impact the Steelers 2021 free agents. Typically the Steelers try to get a few priority free agents signed the year before they hit free agency. But this offseason there is little money to work with.
However, if the free agents are patient, a big bump in the salary cap in 2021 will really pay off for them. The 2020 salary cap is going to be $198 million but some estimate the extra regular-season game and expanded playoffs could mean a number closer to $240 million.
This means guys like edge T.J. Watt and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could seriously cash in after one more season. It also means other teams will have even more to spend in that 2021 offseason if players want to leave.
