Steelers Exchange Linebackers
- The Steelers cut pass-rusher Kevin Anderson and signed linebacker Mike Reilly, Wilson tweets. Originally a UDFA with the Browns in 2015, Reilly didn’t make the roster out of training camp and signed a subsequent reserve/futures deal with the Cardinals at this year’s outset. However, the Cards released him in May after signing its new crop of UDFAs.
Shaun Suisham Still Unable To Kick
Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham is supposed to be in a roster battle with Chris Boswell, but there might not be much of a fight if Suisham doesn’t get healthy soon, as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. Suisham says he has yet to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered last year and he has not attempted a kick since then. Now, Suisham isn’t sure if he will be ready for training camp at the end of July.
Suisham signed a four-year, $12.5MM extension in 2014, making him one of the top 10 highest-paid kickers in the NFL. The Steelers would save $2.4MM by releasing him. Boswell, meanwhile, makes the NFL minimum $525K.
- Former UNLV tight end Jake Phillips worked out for the Steelers on Monday, according to a league source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- Former Steelers cornerback Brandon Boykin is reportedly dealing with serious hip issues which could be keeping him from finding a new NFL home.
Steelers Sign Paul Lang, Kevin Anderson; Waive Jay Rome, Tyriq McCord
- The Steelers waived former University of Miami linebacker Tyriq McCord, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. McCord initially joined Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent. The Steelers also signed TE Paul Lang and LB Kevin Anderson while releasing tight end Jay Rome, reports Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link)
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/2/16
Here are today’s minor moves.
- The Steelers have signed fourth-round offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins, as Teresa Varley of Steelers.com writes. Hawkins offers experience at both left and right tackle but he’s expected to play on the left side for Pittsburgh. “He can come in here and help right away by competing and pushing the guys and making them better,” said offensive line coach Mike Munchak. “It just makes the group better when you can bring in a good athlete and a good player that has the ability to compete and help us become better. “We feel this guy can come in and learn from the guys we have, push the guys that we have and now it’s just a matter of how quickly we feel he can contribute.”
- The Cardinals signed wide receiver Marquis Bundy, safety Tyrequek Zimmerman, and guard Jake Bernstein to return to the 90-man roster limit, Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com tweets.
- The Chargers have agreed to sign guard/tackle Brett Boyko, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- To make room, the Chargers waived offensive lineman Zeth Ramsay, as Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets. The Bolts now have 17 offensive linemen on their 90-man roster.
- The Lions announced that they have signed UDFA kicker Devon Bell and waived punter Kyle Christy. Bell, a Mississippi State product, played in all 13 games last year and averaged 62.1 yards per kickoff, while also punting nine times for 370 yards (41.1 avg).
- The Jaguars have signed guard Patrick Omameh and released offensive lineman Patrick Miller, as Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com tweets. Omameh has played in 30 games over the course of his NFL career.
- The Redskins signed UDFA wide receiver Jarvis Turner, Master Tesfatsion of The Washington Post tweets.
- The Seahawks signed fullback Kyle Coleman, as Wilson tweets. A rookie with tight end experience who played at Arkansas State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Coleman will possibly audition at multiple spots in Seattle, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes.
- The Jets announced that they’ve signed guard Mike Liedtke, while adding that they’ve cleared a roster spot by waiving tackle Luke Marquardt.
2016 Could Be Lawrence Timmons' Final Season With Steelers
At more than $15MM, Lawrence Timmons‘ 2016 cap charge is the second-largest on the Steelers, yet the club hasn’t sought to extend the veteran linebacker (thus lowering that cap hit), as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune writes. The Steelers have restructured quite a few contracts in recent years as more cap space was needed, but it seems like the team is trying to stave off such moves for the time being. As such, Timmons could be on his way to unrestricted free agency in March, and the 30-year-old needs to produce better results in his platform year — he graded among the 10 worst linebackers in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Ramon Foster, William Gay Preferred Pittsburgh Over Allure Of Open Market
- Instead of hitting the open market this offseason, Steelers guard Ramon Foster and cornerback William Gay turned down the chance at a bigger payday elsewhere to remain in Pittsburgh, as Ray Fittipaldo of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. Gay, who signed a two-year, $3.2MM contract with the Cardinals in 2012 after spending the first five years of his career with the Steelers, never saw the second year of that deal after Arizona’s coaching staff told him he no longer fit in their plans, and he had no interest in seeing the dark side of free agency again. Foster, meanwhile, said, “[Pittsburgh] is where it’s at. We’re chasing that ring. The chance for the Super Bowl ring is more important than those extra [millions].”
Antonio Brown Led NFL In Dollars Per Catch
- Here’s a fun fact from ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitterink): Steelers star Antonio Brown made $62K per catch in 2015, the lowest among wide receivers making $5MM or more last year. Brown is set to make just $6.25MM in base salary this season and with a $12.37MM cap hold. The wide receiver says that finishing his career under another long-term extension with the Steelers would be “an honor,” and he’s not planning to hold out for a new contract just yet.
Steelers Notes: Cap Space, Offensive Options
- The Steelers have begun to resist the urge to restructure contracts in order to create cap space, as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune details. After redoing 24 deals over the past five seasons, Pittsburgh hasn’t reworked a single contract this offseason, as GM Kevin Colbert & Co. have decided to stop kicking the can down the road.
- With Martavis Bryant suspended for entire 2016 campaign, the Steelers are going to have to turn to other weapons to make up for his production. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com examines which pass-catchers might be asked to step up, including Ladarius Green, Sammie Coates, Markus Wheaton, and others.
Steelers Sign Sean Davis
- The Steelers have agreed to terms with second-round pick Sean Davis on a four-year deal, according to a source who spoke with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. The Steelers have since confirmed the deal. Davis has now become the fourth Steelers draft pick to sign his rookie pact.
Antonio Brown Not After New Deal Right Now; James Harrison Encounters Drug-Testing Issue
- Antonio Brown said finishing his career under another long-term extension with the Steelers would be “an honor,” and he’s not planning to hold out for a new contract just yet, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. “I always want to be a Steeler for life. We will let those things take its course,” Brown told media, including Fowler. “I’m excited to get back on the field. … My focus right now is to show up and become the best player.” Following his stay in Los Angeles for Dancing with the Stars, Brown plans to return to Pittsburgh for OTAs. Playing on of the NFL’s best bargain contracts, Brown is set to make $6.25MM in base salary this season and occupy a $12.37MM cap hold in 2016. The latter figure is eighth among receivers. With Martavis Bryant now out for the season, Brown could have additional leverage in a potential contract standoff, which he didn’t necessarily deny was forthcoming — although Kevin Colbert recently said he does not expect to alter the Steelers’ policy of not extending players who have more than two years left on their deals. Brown’s 265 receptions over the past two seasons are an NFL record.