The 2024 offseason is here and with that comes releases, signings, and trades from all teams across the league. With that in mind, the Steelers have made some really interesting moves so far this offseason. So, in these articles we are going to look at these cuts and determine whether they were deserved or not. *DATES ARE PER STEELERS.COM*
MITCH TRUBISKY- CUT (FEBRUARY 12)
Mitch Trubisky was one of three players who were cut on Feb 12, 2024. Mitch played for the Steelers for 2 seasons and started 7 games for us in those years. Mitch threw 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while having 157 passing yards per game. The Steelers started Mitch Trubisky for the first 4 games of the 2022 season. Mitch was underperforming and with that, the Steelers turned to their first-round rookie out of Pitt for the rest of the season. Mitch played in 1 other game that year after Kenny Pickett went out with a concussion early in the game. Mitch went on to start 2 games for the Steelers in 2023 and played awful in those starts. Taking the Steelers’ playoff hopes down the drain. Luckily enough, our savior Mason Rudolph saved our season. Mitch had a 43.3 PFF grade in 2023. Mitch was nothing but a disappointment for the Steelers. He was taking up way too much money for the performance on the field. Which led to his release. This was extremely expected, and most Steelers fans were hoping for this move to happen.
CHUNKWUMA OKORAFOR- CUT (FEBRUARY 12)
Another player who was released that day was Chukwuma Okorafor. He has been our starting right tackle since 2018, but his first season where he started all possible games came in 2020. Chuks has been an above average tackle for a few years now. Nonetheless, Okorafor was benched during a game against the Jaguars. The reason was never officially revealed, but it was speculated that it was verbal argument between himself and the coaches. The rookie left tackle, Broderick Jones, was moved to right tackle to fill Chuks’ spot and played very well. So, well in fact Jones went on to start at right tackle for the rest of the season. Okorafor was only seen on the field goal team and on offense as a tight end. It was another release that many Steelers fans saw coming. Okorafor was recently signed by the Patriots to be their new starting right tackle. I do think Okorafor still deserves to be a starter in this league. Just not a starter on the Steelers.
PRESSLEY HARVIN III- CUT (FEBRUARY 12)
The final man who was released on Feb 12, 2024, was the young punter out of Georgia Tech, Pressley Harvin III. Harvin was great out of college, but with accuracy troubles over his 3 years. Pressley’s time as a Steeler was soon to be over. Harvin had the second lowest grade for punter in 2023, with a 50.1. The Steelers signed competition during the 2023 preseason with Braden Mann. Pressley secured the starting position against Mann but was still underperforming. Harvin is good man who I personally love to be a roster. But how strict the punter position is, I just do not see Harvin getting another chance.
MASON COLE- CUT (FEBRUARY 23)
On Feb 23, 2024, the fourth release for the Steelers was veteran center, Mason Cole. The man who played at Michigan was drafted by the Cardinals and played for the Vikings as well. Cole was a main starting piece for the Cardinals during his time there. Mason was signed by the Steelers in 2022 to be our new center after Kendrick Green was not playing up to the standards. Mason’s first year with us was very promising. He had a 67.1 PFF grade and was a productive starter for the o-line. Mason played well enough to even get resigned. However, 2023 was a complete switch from Cole. The former Cardinal was awful and looked clueless on most plays. Cole had the fourth lowest pass-blocking grade for centers and was the seventh lowest grade overall. The ball would be snapped low often and with struggles at pass-blocking. Mason was released with no shock from Steelers fans.
KEANU NEAL- CUT (MARCH 7)
The first move the Steelers made in March was the release of Keanu Neal. Neal played for the Falcons, Cowboys, and Bucs before heading up to the north. Neal was unique in his playing style as he is productive at playing the ball while also playing great in the box. Keanu has played as a strong safety linebacker mix. Neal has been mostly in the box as his career has progressed. Neal sat behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and Demontae Kazee last year, but still got quite a lot of snaps. Neal was put on IR with a rib injury late in the season. In turn, Keanu only played in 9 games in 2023. Neal was under contract till 2024. But with being a back-up and not playing up to the standard, Neal was cut which was a little bit of a shock but still a reasonable move.
PATRICK PETERSON- CUT (MARCH 8)
A move that was a surprise was the release of Patrick Peterson. The eight-time pro bowler was signed under a 2-year contract in March of 2023. Pat played in all 17 games and both corner and safety and played well. Peterson was due 7 million after the 2024 season which I believe was the main reason for the release. Patrick’s playing ability was not the biggest issue, it was more of the amount of money that the Steelers were going to have to pay Peterson. I do think Pat still belongs in this league. Just more of a zone heavy defense where he plays his best football. With the Donte Jackson trade, I think Jackson will fill the role of cornerback 2 like Peterson was playing. Where Jackson will play zone or soft man while Joey Porter Jr will play man.
ALLEN ROBINSON- CUT (MARCH 8)
Another release that was due was Allen Robinson II. The former Jaguar and Bear has been in the league for quite some time and has a lot of experience with the number of quarterbacks that he has played with 11 different quarterbacks in the last 6 seasons. Allen played in all 17 games last year which is the first time he had played a full season since 2020. Allen caught 34 passes for 280 yards and 0 touchdowns. This was the lowest amount of yards in had in a season where he played more than 1 game. Robinson was a huge grab for teams due to his production with low quarterback play, but he also came with injury risks. Robinson has only 5 full seasons under his belt. Robinson has had 9 injuries in his right leg throughout his career. It seems like these injuries have led to his rout running and explosiveness to decline. Which has led to his dip in production. The Steelers were set to pay Allen a hefty amount of money and with the lack of production. I was a no brainer to cut Robinson. I do think Robinson can still be on an NFL roster, just more of a cheaper deal. This is the story with a lot of guys on this list. Allen Robinson is a worse Michael Thomas. Both receivers put up great numbers but struggled with leg injuries which has led to a decline in production, but still lives off of name value and past success.