Steelers say goodbye to Shaun Suisham

A week into the summer break between OTAs and training camp and the Steelers are making roster moves.

On Friday afternoon the team announced that they have released kicker Shaun Suisham with the designation of Failed Physical.

Suisham joined the Steelers in 2010 after originally being signed by Pittsburgh in 2005 as an undrafted free agent out of Bowling Green. Suisham bounced around the league for a time before landing back with the Steelers where he converted 124-of-141 field goal attempts and every one of his 173 extra point attempts.

Suisham tore his ACL last season and spent 2015 on Injured Reserve after signing a four-year contract extension in 2014. The Steelers went through an almost laughable revolving door at kicker before finding Chris Boswell, who had never made it onto a regular-season roster before.

Boswell made 29-of-32 field goal attempts and successfully kicked the game-winning 35-yard field goal to beat the Bengals in the AFC Wild Card Game.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert commented that Suisham suffered a setback in his recovery and wouldn’t have been ready to compete when training camp opened next month.

"“Unfortunately Shaun incurred a setback in his recovery from knee surgery that won’t allow him to compete in a timely manner. Shaun has played a significant role in our success during his time in Pittsburgh. He has been the consummate professional on the field and in our community. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.” – Kevin Colbert"

Right now that leaves Boswell as the only kicker on the roster as the Steelers signed running back Brandon Johnson out of Penn State to take Suisham’s roster spot.

They’ll potentially sign a kicker just to have an extra leg in training camp.

This could be a sign of the start of contract extension season with the Steelers as the release of Suisham created $2.4 million in cap space this year. Perhaps extensions for Lawrence Timmons, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are in the near future?

Next: Steelers Training Camp Battles

The Steelers have already begun negotiations with guard David DeCastro.

Suisham responded to his release with a statement thanking the organization and city of Pittsburgh and all of Steeler Nation.

We’ll miss you Suisham, best of luck!

What do you think of the move, Steeler Nation?