PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A special teams starter and the punter they brought in to be a difference-maker among the dozen players released Monday before the 4p deadline on Tuesday.
Cameron Johnston was going to be a weapon on special teams. After not getting what they needed following drafting Pressley Harvin, Johnston signed to a three-year, $9 million contract last year from Houston. Injury ended his 2024 season after a game and he was in a battle with Corliss Waitman in camp for the job.
The team will save $1.1 million this year and $2.1 million next season due to the signing bonus carrying over into the dead cap money per spotrac.com.
Linebacker Mark Robinson was also a surprise. While not the linebacker they hoped he might become, Robinson played 66% of the Steelers special teams snaps last year with a pair of forced fumbles after 67% of the special teams work the year prior. That could open the door for seventh-round pick Carson Bruener to make the team.
Steelers also confirmed the release of kicker Ben Sauls.
Here are the others let go on Monday afternoon:
Running back-Lew Nichols
Tight end-JJ Galbreath
Wide receiver-Lance McCutcheon, Max Hurleman
Offensive line-Aiden Williams, Steven Jones
Linebacker-Julius Welschof
Defensive back-Daryl Porter, D'Shawn Jamison
Defensive tackle-Kyler Baugh
Galbreath, Porter, Welschof, Nichols and Hurleman could be candidates for the practice squad after some solid play in practice and preseason games.
The Steelers roster is at 67 players and must be down to 53 by 4p on Tuesday.
