Steelers Release CB Steven Nelson

[Steeler Nation]

We knew after last week that things were a bit rocky between the Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback, Steven Nelson. Tuesday, the Steelers announced that they’ll be moving forward without the six year veteran.

We have terminated the contract of CB Steven Nelson.https://t.co/P87W9ulmyJ

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 23, 2021

Nelson played four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Steelers in 2019. In two seasons in black and gold, Nelson had 30 starts, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, and 95 solo tackles.






We appreciate everything you did for us, Steven. Sorry it didn’t end on the best note. Good luck in your future endeavors.

#SteelerNation

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[BLITZ]

We cut a starting cornerback. Awesome

 

[F83]

How much room does it open up we should bring in butler and Sherman for visits as well as ap

 

[steel dino]

One door closed....two doors open..

Lets upgrade.

 

[slashsteel]

One door closed....two doors open..

Lets upgrade.

I read in 2020 he was credited for giving up 7 TDs. On a pass rushing strong team that is unacceptable. Hey Nelson **** you.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

what the flying ****

 

[bermudasteel]

Wow - couldn't we find a trade partner???

 

[LeXX75]

Wow - couldn't we find a trade partner???

a barely above average starting CB ...who's going to give up anything for him. Year 1 he was very good...last year didnt seem to be the same player.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

He’s not making a fortune. He’s under the cap for this year. This is not a cap move.

There is only 1 way this move makes any sense at all for the Steelers. They reviewed his film, think he’s overrated and they see a veteran free agent who they think is just as good or better and can be had for cheaper. That is the ONLY scenario where this isn’t an epic clusterfuck.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

or they been keeping justin Layne on the Down low.

Maybe they want to capital to sign FA's come august.

 

[Troglodyte]

Trying to think of all the needs: OL (2) RB, TE, CB Depth (2), OLB depth, DL

 

[slashsteel]

Trying to think of all the needs: OL (2) RB, TE, CB Depth (2), OLB depth, DL

Yep and a draft pick that they didn't get sure would have helped. Even a 7th would be better than jack ****.

 

[Coryea]

think i read it frees up around 7 million.

 

[MTC]

Losing defense galore

 

[steel dino]

or they been keeping justin Layne on the Down low.

Or they really like James Pierre as mentioned....

I can of liked the little I saw of him myself..

 

[thesteelcity]

they will bring someone in. They have to to soften the blow of letting him walk.

 

[Steeltime]

Nelson had a great year in 2019.

By the numbers, Nelson was one of the league’s best cornerbacks last season. Playing opposite Joe Haden, his 80.5 overall grade ranked sixth among all cornerbacks in 2019, and he allowed just 33 receptions on over 500 coverage snaps all year. Another season with numbers like that and more people are going to start taking notice.

According to PFF, Steven Nelson is the Steelers’ most underrated player

PFF Rankings: Top 25 cornerbacks through Week 17 | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF

PFF ranks the 25 highest-graded cornerbacks through Week 17 of the 2019 NFL season.

www.pff.com

He was above average last season.

Steelers Secondary No. 3 in the NFL in 2020​

Almost as important to Pittsburgh’s defensive success in 2020 was the play of its secondary, which allowed the lowest pass completion rate in the NFL (56.7 percent), the lowest passer rating (76.7), and the third-fewest passing yards.

“Joe Haden and Steven Nelson were quality starters on the outside, as they ranked 24th and 39th, respectively, among 93 qualifying outside corners in coverage grade,” notes PFF’s Anthony Treash. “However, the backbone of the unit’s success came elsewhere. Cameron Sutton and Mike Hilton played nearly equal snaps in the slot and came away ranking third and seventh, respectively, among 40 qualifiers in coverage grade at the position. Minkah Fitzpatrick also provided standout play on the back-end with the third-best coverage grade among deep safeties.”

Unfortunately for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, both Sutton and Hilton are pending unrestricted free agents and both Haden and Nelson carry exorbitant cap numbers, at $15.575 million and $14.42 million, respectively. Nelson is only 27 years old, so a contract extension might be the solution to reducing his cap number for 2021.

Steelers Had Top Pass Rush, Top 3 Secondary in 2020: PFF

It's going to be a huge challenge for Pittsburgh to maintain its recent level of defensive success.

heavy.com

Releasing Nelson does not make the team better. Sorry, it doesn't.

 

[topseed]

think i read it frees up around 7 million.

And it produces $6.2 million in dead cap.

The mass exodus of good players from this team continues with little or no recompense. It's embarrassing.

 

[LeXX75]

they will bring someone in. They have to to soften the blow of letting him walk.

My thought is why didnt they already....it seems they knew he was gone one way or another...why wait for the actual cut

 

[slashsteel]

My thought is why didnt they already....it seems they knew he was gone one way or another...why wait for the actual cut

Because they are molasses slow acting like they are the smartest in the room. Meanwhile we have more holes on our team than swiss cheese. While letting every malcontent have their way in the process.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Makes you wonder if anyone who ever was granted permission to seek trade actually got traded. Why pay for the cow if you get the milk for free. It is almost always followed up by a release. I wonder if the issues were monetary or other. I'm assuming they asked to restructure and he didn't like the numbers, but it could be more.

 

[thesteelcity]

My thought is why didnt they already....it seems they knew he was gone one way or another...why wait for the actual cut

cap issues? idk why do some of the things they do.

 

[Hines57]

He wanted out. Nothing we could do when he clearly wanted out and killed any trade value.

 

[F83]

Desir or layne with how cincy and the bengals are better we need a vet sign butler 1 yr 4 mill or Sherman with incentives that can make it a 1 yr 8 mill type deal

 

[Drink IRON City]

Wow - couldn't we find a trade partner???

Because everyone knew we'd cut him and NOW they can negotiate a new deal and NOT absorb his traded salary vs the cap/



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