3 Steelers candidates to be cut going into the summer
By Tommy Jaggi
Steelers could cut CB Ahkello Witherspoon
This one might come as a bit of a surprise to many unsuspecting fans, but based on their current roster construction, it wouldn't be surprising if the Pittsburgh Steelers cut cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon before the summer.
In free agency, the Steelers went out and signed Patrick Peterson after losing Cameron Sutton to the Lions. Not long after, they nabbed Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice Jr. in the 2023 NFL Draft. What do all of these cornerbacks have in common? They are big, long boundary defenders -- just like Witherspoon.
This doesn't include other depth options on the roster like Levi Wallace (who had four interceptions in 2022) and James Pierre (who can play special teams). Even if the plan is to kick Peterson inside to the slot in nickel and dime packages (which may or may not be the case), there is still a surplus of boundary cornerbacks on Pittsburgh's roster.
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The Steelers could save $4 million by cutting Ahkello Witherspoon, per Over the Cap, and that money could be used toward a slot CB or rotational edge defender. Considering the Steelers only have roughly $8.1 million in cap space and like to carry at least this much into the season, Witherspoon could be cut due to the depth at the position and the money the team could save.