The Pittsburgh Steelers released linebacker Malik Harrison on Sunday, a move that frees up $4.75 million in salary cap space as the team works to finalize its roster ahead of the regular season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the decision, writing, “Steelers releasing LB Malik Harrison, per source. He was owed $4.75M this year.”
Harrison joined the Steelers last offseason on a two-year contract worth $10 million after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. The former Ohio State standout was selected in the third round of the 2020 draft.
In his only season with Pittsburgh, Harrison started nine of the 11 games he played. He finished with 41 combined tackles, including 25 solo stops and two tackles for loss. Those numbers came after he missed a stretch of games early in the year because of a knee injury.
The 28-year-old returned later in the season and moved into a starting role, though his overall impact fell short of expectations for many observers. He did not record a sack or force a turnover during the 2025 campaign.
This offseason the Steelers strengthened their linebacker group by re-signing Cole Holcomb and later bringing back Elandon Roberts during the preseason. Those additions left Harrison in a more crowded position battle.
Harrison sat out the final two preseason games this summer. That absence signaled to some analysts that the team preferred to keep him healthy while preparing to part ways with him before the roster deadline.
Across his six NFL seasons, Harrison has appeared in 87 regular-season games with 43 starts. He has accumulated 215 total tackles, two sacks and one pass deflection. His career-high tackle total of 54 came in 2024 while still with Baltimore.
The NFL’s salary cap for 2026 sits at $301.2 million, an increase of $22 million from the previous year. Teams must stay under the limit when they reduce their rosters to 53 players.
Pittsburgh has made several roster adjustments in recent days as it shapes its final group. The release of Harrison provides immediate financial flexibility that could prove useful for other moves or for managing remaining contracts.
Harrison’s playing time last season included roughly 25 percent of the team’s defensive snaps after he returned from injury. He also contributed on special teams earlier in his career, though that role diminished in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers’ linebacker depth now features a mix of veterans and younger players who impressed during training camp and the preseason. That competition ultimately made Harrison the odd man out despite his starting experience a year ago.
By moving on from the veteran, Pittsburgh improves its cap situation at a time when most clubs are fine-tuning their 53-man lists. The savings of nearly $5 million gives the front office more options as the season approaches.
Harrison remains free to sign with another team once the move becomes official. At 6-foot-3 and around 250 pounds, he still offers size and experience that could interest clubs seeking depth at the position.
The decision closes a brief chapter for Harrison in Pittsburgh after one injury-shortened season that never fully met the hopes surrounding his free-agent signing.
