The Pittsburgh Steelers have already gotten started on altering their roster and creating cap space by releasing a few players. Mitch Trubisky, Pressley Harvin, and Chukwuma Okorafor have all been recently cut by the team. None of those three players departing is much of a surprise, as Harvin and Trubisky both underperformed in 2023, and Okorafor found himself in trouble with the coaching staff after being benched against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The organization likely isn’t done making changes to their roster, and two veteran starters were both listed as likely to get cut.
Steelers Likely To Cut Two Veterans
Two of the older players on the Steelers roster are both Patrick Peterson and Allen Robinson II, each player having a starting role with Pittsburgh in 2023. Both certainly showed their age at points however, throughout the year. Robinson II was a non-factor after the catch, and Peterson had his issues with tackling. A good chunk of money is scheduled to be paid to each player in 2024, so it is likely they are released to free up more cap space according to NFL.com.
“A likely future Hall of Famer, Peterson turns 34 this summer, is by no means the shutdown corner he once was and could be cut by Pittsburgh to create nearly $7 million in cap savings,” said Matt Okada, a programmer and fantasy content analyst at NFL.com.
Peterson is scheduled to make nearly $10 million in 2024. A salary of $3.85 million, a roster bonus of $3 million, and a signing bonus of $2.925 million. If the Steelers cut Peterson prior to March 16th, they would save nearly $7 million and only have to pay Peterson his signing bonus. On March 16th, Peterson’s roster bonus will take effect, so expect a decision on his future to be made sooner rather than later.
Peterson was still an effective player during the 2023 season. He had two interceptions and 11 pass break ups, but he certainly showed he was a liability at times when it came to tackling and playing outside corner. He isn’t the player he once was, and needs to embrace a new role as a rotational kind of player. The Steelers could approach him about taking a pay cut due to them wanting to keep his veteran presence around, but it is more than likely he is released.
Robinson II was the Steelers’ third wide receiver behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens in 2023. His production struggled all year. This could be because he was playing in Matt Canada’s offense, along with poor quarterback play, but his age also certainly played a factor. Robinson II struggled to get open, and his yards after catch were limited. The Steelers will almost definitely be looking for a new third wide receiver in the draft, or free agency.
“Speaking of aging Steelers vets with declining production, Robinson hasn’t been effective since the 2020 season in Chicago and carries an $11.9 million cap hit in 2024, making him a near-guarantee for release this offseason,” Okada continued.
Robinson II caught 34 passes for 280 yards in 2023. His production was nothing crazy, but he was extremely reliable for Pittsburgh. Robinson II had his highest catch percentage on targets in his entire career for a season where he played more than one game, and seemed to always be there to make a crucial catch on third downs.
His lack of production however, doesn’t look good with his contract. In 2024, he is set to make $10 million from his base salary alone and also has one bonus of nearly $2 million. It is a no brainer for the Steelers to release Robinson II, it is an easy way for the organization to save $10 million. Releasing Robinson II wouldn’t put the Steelers in much of a hole, either. Making this move before the draft and before free agency begins would be beneficial, that way the organization knows they are looking for a playable receiver in both of those areas.
