3 cut candidates on Steelers roster ahead of NFL training camp
The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the 2023-2024 season with a 10-7 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Even being in the tough AFC North division with instability at the quarterback position, Mike Tomlin and his Steelers managed to pull together another winning season with a playoff appearance.
In the playoffs, Pittsburgh fell to the Buffalo Bills, 31-17, ending their season. In the offseason, Pittsburgh made some drastic changes. They removed all three of their quarterbacks from the roster, including Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky. The team traded Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, let Rudolph sign with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent, and released Trubisky. The team also traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson.
The Steelers added quarterback Russell Wilson in free agency, and traded with the Chicago Bears for QB Justin Fields. Pittsburgh also made a big splash by signing former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. Pittsburgh added to their O-line, selecting offensive linemen with their first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh will look to make it back to the playoffs again, and will try to dethrone the Baltimore Ravens as AFC North champions.
But before the season starts, the Steelers will have to make many cuts to get the roster down to 53 players. As training camp is in full effect, there are three possible candidates to cut on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.
3 candidates to cut on Steelers roster ahead of 2024 NFL season
#1 - Mycole Pruitt: TE
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed tight end Mycole Pruitt this off-season on April 4. Pittsburgh is the sixth team he's been a member of as he spent the last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Listed as the No. 4 tight end on the roster, Pruitt will likely compete with Connor Heyward for the third spot at tight end behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
Pruitt is 32 years old compared to Heyward who is much younger at 25. Both tight ends failed to score over a touchdown or receive over 200 yards last season. Given that he is younger, Connor could get the final spot over the aging Pruitt.
#2 - La'Mical Perine: RB
Earlier this off-season, running back La'Mical Perine signed a one-year deal with the Steelers. He's currently listed as the team's number four running back behind Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Perine would likely compete with Patterson, who has previously shown more versatility as the team's third-string running back and kick returner. In three seasons of playing in the NFL, Perine averages 3.6 yards per carry and has only scored two touchdowns on 108 total carries. Patterson signed a two-year deal with the Steelers this off-season.
#3 - Cory Trice Jr.: CB
Second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. was Pittsburgh's seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was placed on injured reserve on August 2, 2023, missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL.
Looking to make a name for himself this season, Trice is currently listed as Pittsburgh's number three right cornerback. He will have to battle his way up the DB depth chart and will have to beat out guys like Darius Rush, Kalon Barnes, and Thomas Graham, Jr.
Even if any one of these players is cut, they have the chance to be brought back onto Pittsburgh's practice squad if the team decides to do so.