Three Steelers who were cap 'busts'

When you look at any NFL team's salary-cap situation, there are players who provide tons of value, and others who suck the life right out of the team's finances. While those who would be considered a bargain were discussed yesterday, today we dive into the players who are a drain on the Steelers' economy.

Before getting to the list of players whose overall price tag doesn't necessarily equate to their value, we should set some criteria. When I think of a player as a salary-cap bust, it is a player who, for whatever reason, doesn't live up to the salary they are receiving. Sometimes it is injury, other times a lack of production.

Whatever the case, the cost of having the player on the roster doesn't always add up.

With the help of OvertheCap.com, I have listed three Steelers who would be considered the biggest salary-cap busts heading into the 2020 season. The total next to the name is the player’s cap number for this year.

1. Stephon Tuitt - $14,940,750

When healthy, Tuitt is an absolute monster on the defensive line. His ability to wreak havoc on the opposition is a thing of beauty. The problem is, Tuitt is rarely healthy. Whether it was because o a torn biceps tendon, or last year's torn pectoral muscle, Tuitt has missed a significant chunk of too many seasons to warrant the third-highest cap total entering the 2020 season. Hindsight is always 20/20, but if Tuitt can't stay on the field, it makes his second contract look even worse.

2. Ben Roethlisberger - $23,750,000

I would like everyone to take a minute and look at the number next to Roethlisberger's name. Just let that sink in for a second. Almost $24 million dollars accounted for by one player. The NFL salary cap in 2020 is $198.2 million dollars. Do the math and Roethlisberger accounts for 11.98 percent of the Steelers' overall salary cap. Let's get one thing straight, I am not diminishing Roethlisberger's value to the team; we all saw what happened in 2019 with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges under center. The Steelers gave Roethlisberger a huge deal for his final NFL contract, and they are now paying the price. No one could have seen his elbow injury coming, but it only makes matters worse. A quarterback nearing 40, coming off a season-ending injury to his throwing arm and accounting for almost $24 million toward the cap. Not a great spot.

3. Alejandro Villanueva - $8,390,000

Villanueva is a great guy and a fan favorite for multiple reasons, but when he received his big contract, his production seems to have slid to the average side of the ledger. Your best quality is availability, and Villanueva has been in the lineup, week-in and week-out. But when you see his overall price tag, you expect better. Truth be told, Villanueva isn't paid as an elite left tackle in the NFL; he currently ranks 20th on the list of tackles, based on yearly salary, and the hope is his 2020 season is a rebound to his 2018 Pro Bowl form.

Some players who made the Honorable Mention List:

Joe Haden -- $9,625,000
Vince Williams -- $7,031,666
Maurkice Pouncey -- $7,525,000

Let the record show that I have no problem paying players what the market dictates, and what they bring to the team. There is a reason players like David DeCastro, Steven Nelson and Cam Heyward aren't on this list. They are getting paid what they are worth, and they certainly are worthy of every penny. But there are always those players on the team who cash in, and never truly pan out. Also, for those wondering, Bud Dupree was left off the list because he is playing under the franchise tag this year and the Steelers don't have a say in his salary.

If you missed the article on the three Steelers who are salary cap "steals," check it out HERE.