Jonnu Smith Steelers roster cut
Jonnu Smith Steelers roster cut
The Steelers cut Jonnu Smith from the roster. Who’s next?
In discussing Jonnu Smith and the Steelers’ roster and potential cap cuts, GM Omar Khan said they were in a good spot. A week later, they have cut two players who were set to earn more than the value they represent. First, they parted with backup T Calvin Anderson, and now quasi-starting TE Jonnu Smith.
With these two roster cuts, especially Smith, the Steelers cleared an extra $9 million in cap space, minus displacement. They didn’t really need the extra room, though they have it now, regardless. What they don’t have are two players making more than their roles justify, which is justification enough, apparently.
That’s not really the tone that Khan struck at the Combine, though. Specifically asked about Jonnu Smith, he basically said the Steelers were in a place where they could afford to overpay some players on the roster rather than release them.
Well, either he wasn’t all that serious or they changed their minds, not that anybody is complaining. Many will argue that the Smith move is addition by subtraction, yielding more snaps for Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. But who else on the Steelers’ roster might they release under the new coaching staff, relative to their salary?
Last year, the Steelers parted with Elandon Roberts and signed Malik Harrison in free agency, but could they release him a year later? He is set to make nearly $5 million this season, and it’s hard to say he justified that salary. A rotational run stopper who was less successful than his predecessor, he also wasn’t some huge difference-maker on special teams. In fact, he only played 54 percent of the special teams snaps, by far the lowest rate of his career. So, you know…what’s up with that?
Beyond Harrison and Smith, and Calvin Anderson, I don’t know that there are any big potential roster cuts that the Steelers haven’t already addressed. Omar Khan essentially confirmed that they are not releasing Jalen Ramsey. If they cut Malik Harrison, would they really cut Patrick Queen, too? Maybe Ben Skowronek and his $2,225,000 salary, if they devalue special teams. Beyond that, we’re talking small beans. Brandin Echols isn’t going anywhere, I imagine, nor is DK Metcalf. Jonnu Smith was the glaringly obvious name, and they already released him, so I’m not sure there is a next.
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you coverloses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.