Steele remains what he's always been, a strong run blocker with more lapses in pass protection than you'd generally like to see. His strengths and weaknesses are better suited to what Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams are doing offensively, which improved his long-term outlook. His warts become even more tolerable now after the pay cut, dropping his total contract value by about $12-$15 million.
Coming off their run to Super Bowl LX, the franchise needs their selections to pan out and provide cheap, young talent that will keep hopes of getting back to the big game in the coming years alive, as cap space becomes increasingly tight with expected big-money contracts on the way for cornerback Christian Gonzalez and quarterback Drake Maye.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson being dealt is the absolute best case scenario. He's veteran who is performing at a high level on a manageable contract and is potentially the clearest path to the Maple Leafs acquiring a first round draft pick. Any ideal trade deadline needs to involve selling high on a player who has ping ponged between buyout calibre seasons and resurgences to his prime.
The Washington Commanders have a surplus of salary-cap space, many roster holes to fill, and only two draft picks in the first four rounds. That dictates the general manager must be aggressive, and fans are expecting swift action. The Commanders have a chance for a quick turnaround if they can find the right upgrades.
We're approaching the start of free agency, and the Falcons have many looming questions to address. Kevin Knight is joined by Tre'Shon Diaz to discuss Atlanta's biggest offseason priorities, including what to do with Kyle Pitts, the top needs in free agency, and how to navigate the salary cap. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live! You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms
Check the math. The numbers don't lie, even if NFL general managers occasionally do. The 49ers are currently carrying more than $110 million in dead money on their books. That's salary cap space allocated to players who are currently doing anything but playing for San Francisco this season. In the NFL, $110 million in dead weight isn't a hurdle; it's a tombstone.
Their upcoming busy offseason is just one of the many reasons why the Lions wanted to finalize the deal they completed last week with standout Aidan Hutchinson. The organization wanted clarity on Hutchinson's contract numbers, it wanted to structure the deal with cap flexibility to re-sign its other key players, and it knew the challenges ahead. With Hutchinson now signed to a four-year, $180 million extension that includes $141 million guaranteed, the Lions can begin preparing for another challenging offseason.
