Steelers DL Stephon Tuitt seems likely to retire from the NFL in 2022

The Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t know what the status of Stephon Tuitt will be in 2022. Here’s why the defensive lineman seems likely to retire this offseason.

Stephon Tuitt did not participate in the 2021 season after tragically losing his brother in a hit-and-run incident over the summer. Over the past year, we have barely heard a whisper out of Tuitt and there have been essentially no updates on his status during this period.

Recently, Keith Butler was asked about Tuitt on 93.7 The Fan. Here’s what the Steelers former defensive coordinator had to say:

"“I really don’t know. That’s going to be up to [Art] Rooney II. I have no idea. I don’t know where he is set mentally. That’s something very private. We didn’t know a whole lot about [it]. We just took it for granted that the thing that happened to him and his family was very hard on him and he struggled with it. I hope he comes back for the team. I don’t know if he will.”"

Bulter didn’t sound optimistic about Tuitt’s odds of returning to the football field anytime soon. In addition to these comments, Steelers Now writer Alan Saunders reported that Stephon Tuitt’s Pittsburgh home in Pine Township is under contract to be sold, according to records obtained by Steelers Now. The home was listed for sale on January 16th.

While there has been no word from Tuitt on his status regarding his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers, all signs seem to be pointing to his eventual retirement from football. Again, this is just speculation until we have word, but it doesn’t look encouraging for Steelers fans.

Steelers need to prepare for a future without Tuitt

First and foremost, we all want to extend sympathy to Stephon and his family for the difficult time they are going through. I can’t begin to imagine what he is dealing with right now. His mental health comes first.

Looking ahead, the Steelers really need to start preparing as if Tuitt isn’t going to be part of their long-term plans. We don’t know how long the Rooney’s are going to give Tuitt to make a decision about his future with the team, but perhaps they have already had this discussion internally.

knowing that the team is likely in a rebuilding phase, the front office could potentially cut Tuitt if he doesn’t make a decision soon enough. According to Over the Cap, Tuitt has a salary cap number of over $13.9 million in 2022. This isn’t exactly chump change. Unfortunately, the Steelers would save just $4.29 million by releasing him. However, if Tuitt is the one to make this decision, the remainder of his contract would be void.

This would be a substantial saving that the Steelers could turn around and sign another defensive lineman with. Someone like former Pro Bowl DL and current free agent Akiem Hicks would make a lot of sense. Though he wouldn’t be a long-term solution due to his age, he could give the Steelers a great option next to Cameron Heyward for the next year or two.

With these savings, the Steelers could also go after someone younger in free agency like Harrison Phillips or B.J. Hill. Either way, this is a position that would need to be addressed if Tuitt does not return.

Obviously, we wish nothing but the best for Stephon Tuitt and his family in the future, whatever that might be. In the meantime, the Steelers should be preparing for a future without him on the team.