Football is finally making its long-awaited comeback as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for training camp. It is a time when jobs will be won and lost across the depth chart. There will be competition, and spots up for grabs.
Don't be shocked if a couple of names emerge from the shadows to dethrone a notable veteran or two when the 53-man roster gets situated.
It's not common for a recent free agent addition to lose his job with his new team only a couple of months on the job. Brandin Echols signed a two-year $6 million contract with the Steelers when free agency began in March. He is a reliable depth player who could provide experience to the cornerback room. Since his addition, things have started to turn sour regarding his job security.
The cornerback position remains questionable for the Steelers heading into training camp.
They have starters at different positions, but the health of Darius Slay and the deployment of Jalen Ramsey are unknown. Joey Porter Jr. is a wild card as the inconsistent cornerback could either turn into a star or a dud going into a make-or-break campaign. Several questions need answers at the position during the preseason process.
Pittsburgh Steelers could cut Brandin Echols from roster if he struggles at training camp
The first depth chart released by Mike Tomlin will be telling regarding Echols' chances of making the team out of camp. He should be a lock, but the addition of Ramsey and his lack of snaps at the slot cornerback position make his situation precarious. Although the veteran has experience at the position, the coaching staff's lack of desire to play him at different positions should be a red flag.
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Pittsburgh has plenty of potential options at the cornerback position who could earn a spot on the final roster. Cory Trice Jr. and Beanie Bishop are two up-and-coming cornerbacks who could push Echols for his backup position. Ideally, the Steelers would prefer for Trice and Bishop to jump ahead of a veteran when training camp concludes. It would boost their youth and potential in the secondary.
Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan will probably keep five or six players at the position when players get released.
Porter Jr., Slay, and Ramsey are the only locks to make the club. Everyone else will battle for positioning on the depth chart in hopes of keeping their jobs. Echols has an uphill battle as he must beat younger players who have an opportunity to progress into better players than he is.
The decision to cut the veteran cornerback would be shocking. It's not every day the Steelers move on from a free agent signing that fast. His release would save Pittsburgh little cap space, so there is no incentive to cut him for cash savings. Echols might have the inside track to make the roster, but his failure to express his versatility this preseason could create another hurdle to overcome.