The Steelers have completed their final step of preparation for the regular season in cutting down the roster to the league-mandated 53 men.
It’s a tough day for some players as their NFL dreams might have to take a detour when they receive the news from coach Mike Tomlin that their days wearing the Black & Gold have come to an end for now. Tomlin had to deliver bad news to 22 players on Saturday to get down to the 53-man roster.
Trade Alert
In addition to the roster cuts the Steelers acquired former first-round cornerback Justin Gilbert in a trade from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round pick. Gilbert was one of those corners that every Steelers fan had circled on their mock drafts in 2014 when the team took linebacker Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State instead of a defensive back with their first round pick.
Gilbert has only started three games in the two seasons so far with the Browns and hasn’t shown much. Makes it clear why the Browns gave him up for next to nothing. Seems like a win-win for both teams, depending on how Pittsburgh’s coaching staff can shape Gilbert going forward.
This also means that the Browns now have absolutely zero players remaining from the six first-round draft picks they’ve had from 2011-2014. That is impressive. Talk about always rebuilding.
Cuts Made
The most notable of the Steelers’ roster cuts include running backs Brandon Brown-Dukes and Cameron Stingily as well as receivers Demarcus Ayers and Cobi Hamilton. The team also released defensive backs Montell Garner, Doran Grant and Al-Hajj Shabazz.
Pittsburgh is probably hoping to catch some of these players from clearing waivers to add to their practice squad like linebacker Travis Feeney and safety Ray Vinopal. Quarterback Bryn Renner was also a cut which was obvious after the signing of Zack Mettenberger.
One last roster move will include placing running back Le’Veon Bell on the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list as he is to sit out the first three games of the season.
There’s always the options to make additional roster moves and pick up additional players from waivers as the rest of the teams across the league cut down their own rosters.
Next: Steelers Draft Watch: Alabama Linebackers
What other moves would you want/expect the team to make to finalize the roster for the regular season?