Steelers release Dri Archer and sign Jacoby Jones

The Steelers made a much anticipated roster move on Thursday afternoon. The Steelers announced they have signed kick returner Jacoby Jones off of waivers. To make room for Jones the team waived Dri Archer.

This is a move I actually suggested the team do back in February when Jones was cut from the Ravens. Dri Archer hasn’t been terrible at returning kick offs this year but he hasn’t been good either, ever. Jones returned a kickoff 108 yards against the Steelers at Heinz Field last November. He also returned a kickoff in Super Bowl XLVII for the same distance, the longest play in Super Bowl history.

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Archer was a project from the moment he was drafted. He had the fastest 40-yard dash time at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine but his 5’8”, 174 lb stature made him an unrealistic running back or wide receiver. The Steelers tried to have to turn Archer into a return specialist but the only thing he excelled at was watching the ball sail out of the end zone or returning it maybe to the 30-yard line.

With Jones the Steelers now have an actual kickoff specialist, a man who has 10,184 all-purpose yards in his nine NFL seasons. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers this spring.

Jones is most known by Steelers fans for his kick off run that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin accidentally stepped in the way of on a Thanksgiving night game in 2013

I’m sure this was one time Mike Tomlin wouldn’t stand in Jacoby Jones’ way.

What do you think of the roster move, Steeler Nation?