Cornerback Steven Nelson, who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers last month after being given permission to seek a trade, spoke to the “Movin’ The Chains” podcast on NFL Radio.
“It came down to me being traded or being released and I just want to make it very clear to those out there that might not know or are assuming, that there was never a discussion with me being able to take a pay cut, I was never even given that opportunity to take a pay cut, so it was either trade or release, so I just wanted to clear that up,” said Nelson. “I was in pretty much in a bad spot.”
It’s unknown if Nelson would even have taken a pay cut and just wanted to at least be asked.
Nelson says he thought an extension would make sense with the Steelers having cap issues in 2021, “clearly it didn’t’ go that way for whatever reason.”
While Nelson is still unemployed, he says that at least a 1/3 of teams in the NFL has experienced interest.
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Shortly before he was released in March, Nelson took to social media and said “Making a public announcement is a little out of my character, but you guys made your decision please don’t hold me hostage.”
Releasing the 28-year-old saved the Steelers over $7 million in cap space. Money that was used to help resign fellow corner Cam Sutton.
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Nelson started for the Steelers in all 30 games he played for them in 2019 and 2020 and had 109 total tackles, three interceptions (two of those coming off Carson Wentz this past season, two fumble recoveries and two tackles for a loss.
If Nelson’s claims are true it is a bit puzzling with them keeping an older Joe Haden on the roster who was making more money than Nelson.
Maybe the Steelers’ evaluation of Nelson showed them he just isn’t a fit for the defense.