Steelers bizarre roster moves with Jamir Jones make sense following his arrest

On February 27th, the Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed Jamir Jones to a one-year contract that would keep him on the roster through the 2023 season. However, in an unusual turn of events and without explanation, the Steelers released him just weeks later on April 12th.

This move seemed bizarre at the time, but the news has come full circle and it all makes sense now. On May 2nd, we finally learned that Jones had been arrested back on April 12th for a domestic violence charge in Broward County, Florida.

The alleged incident happened with someone he had been in a multi-year relationship with. Though Jones pled not guilty, this is something that the Steelers clearly didn't want to get wrapped up in. In addition to criminal charges, Jones could potentially face a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal policy against domestic violence.

Jones had been a journeyman since entering the league in 2020. The former Notre Dame pass rusher signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft but was waived before the start of the season. He would not see his first NFL action until his second season in 2021 where he would bounce around from Jacksonville to Pittsburgh to Los Angeles.

Jones landed back on the Steelers roster last season where he played 86 defensive snaps and 251 snaps on special teams. Now with a potential suspension looming and a domestic violence case pending, his opportunities may be cut short in the NFL.

Steelers covered their bases in the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Wisconsin EDGE Nick Herbig in the fourth round. Many believed this to be one of the better value picks on Day 3. Herbig will now likely claim a roster spot previously occupied by Jones.

After signing his one-year deal, Jones would have stood a reasonable shot to make the Pittsburgh Steelers roster in 2023, as his biggest competition likely would have been Quincy Roche and Emeke Egbule -- barring a veteran signing.

Now, while the Steelers are prepping for the 2023 season, Jamir Jones will be busy trying to clear his name and restore his reputation. Because he was already a player teetering on the bottom of NFL rosters, his time in the league could be over.