4 Steelers fan favorites who are in danger of being cut before Week 1

The Steelers Zach Gentry fan club may end

As many of you know, I am a proud member of the Zach Gentry fan club. It looked like he was going to be a draft bust a few years ago, but he transformed himself into a solid blocker and became a viable second tight end for this team. His play did take a step back this past offseason though.

That said, Gentry was still resigned by the Steelers, but he is far from a roster lock. Darnell Washington was drafted in the third round and will likely take on the role of blocking tight end and top backup sooner than later. Gentry can still be kept as the third tight end, and for a team that plans to use some heavier sets, it would still be worth doing.

The issue comes down to Connor Heyward. While listed as a tight end, there is a very real chance he assumes the role of hybrid-full back and backup tight end. If he doesn’t, and the Steelers opt to keep a traditional fullback, Gentry could be in trouble.

I doubt the team keeps a pure fullback and four other tight ends. If Heyward is to stay as just a unique tight end, Gentry could be out the door. His contract doesn’t have much in it that would make cutting him a hassle.

As of this writing, I’m assuming Heyward is going to absorb the fullback role while also still being used as a tight end. If he does, then Gentry should be safe. Fans of his should be sweating a little bit though, as he isn’t a lock to be on the roster this year.