The Pittsburgh Steelers had several positional battles to keep an eye on entering the final week of the preseason. One of those battles included two players jousting for the final edge rusher spot on the 2024 roster.
The Steelers are known for keeping four outside linebackers, and the top three -- T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig -- were already roster locks. This meant that players like Kyron Johnson, Jeremiah Moon, and Julius Welschof would battle it out for the final spot on the team.
As the summer marched on, Johnson emerged as a frontrunner of the group, thanks to a strong performance at training camp and during the preseason. Surprisingly, he was the first name among this group to get the axe during NFL roster cuts.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson confirmed that the Steelers are releasing Kyron Johnson ahead of the NFL cutdown deadline.
#Steelers are releasing outside linebacker Kyron Johnson, per a league source, and he is expected to have interest from other #NFL teams @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 27, 2024
Because of where Johnson was running in the preseason, this move comes as a surprise. With Watt and Highsmith resting during exhibition action, it was Johnson who worked opposite Herbig in Pittsburgh's starting defense.
Lining up primarily as the right outside linebacker, Johnson earned a few impressive pressures on the quarterback during the 2024 preseason, and his quickness off the ball was evident.
Steelers have a different plan on the edge
While this move seems to suggest that a player like Jeremiah Moon is in pole position to make the team, I wouldn't take that to the bank just yet. Moon didn't do much to set himself apart from the competition this summer. Instead, the Steelers could be looking at a familiar face.
DeMarvin Leal is a player who has moved up and down the defensive line. This summer, Leal cut weight and was being used as an edge rusher. Even at his size, Leal proved to be effective during training camp and the preseason.
Though he doesn't possess the same burst and speed as the other outside linebackers on the team, Leal is smooth as a pass rusher with a blend of ways to get to the quarterback. He can be used in early-down work thanks to his ability to hold up at the point of attack on the edge.
The decision to release Johnson could also mean the Steelers aren't content with what they have in their fourth outside linebacker spot. Perhaps they have plans to pick up a player who has been released by another NFL team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could still sign Kyron Johnson to their practice squad, but he won't be part of the roster equation in 2024.