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The Pittsburgh Steelers have endured an offseason that has been all about reducing the drama in the locker room. Their training camp will test the waters and hopefully shape a team which will contend for yet another season. With a team ready to make its mark, the Steelers could become that team. Before then, some cuts or departures must come.
3. Tyler Matakevich – ILB
The Steelers did plenty to revamp their inside linebacker position adjacent to Vince Williams in the 2019 offseason. Mark Barron, formerly of the Los Angeles Rams, was a big get in free agency. Devin Bush, the No. 10 overall pick out of Michigan, is a bigger get — he may start immediately. The culmination of the moves may mean a three-year vet will be on his way out.
Tyler Matakevich has been a solid special-teamer for the Steelers since being drafted in the seventh round in 2016. As a defender, he hasn't done much — he has recorded 33 total tackles and a pass deflection despite being available for 47 games. Before the draft, a spot on the rotation appeared to have opened up; now, it's closed.
Though Matakevich is a core special teams member, the Steelers can afford to cut him despite proficiency in the area. In the draft, they got one of the class's gem special-teamers: the uber-quick yet undersized Sutton Smith. Ulysees Gilbert III, a forceful inside linebacker, was added as well. The two signings should mean they will be fine on the third team if Matakevich is cut.
2. Zach Banner – OT
The right tackle spot for the Steelers is relatively open following the departure of Marcus Gilbert. Currently, Matt Feiler, Jerald Hawkins, Chukwuma Okorafor, and Zach Banner are contending for the position. Factoring in Feiler's previous play there and Okorafor's third-round pick status in 2018, a potential cut comes down to Hawkins or Banner.
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Hawkins hasn't yet completed a full season, but has shown promise in practice as a fourth-round pick out of LSU in 2016. Banner spent his NFL career bouncing from team to team since being a fourth-round pick in 2017. His career has been a disappointment, and he has an outside shot at contending for a right tackle job. Expect this cut to happen.
1. Artie Burns – CB
A case can be made to keep Artie Burns on the roster. He was a first-round pick in 2016, has performed well to start training camp, and has collected an $800K roster bonus. Yet, despite all those variables, it's tough, in my mind, to see him making the 53-man roster, considering his poor play and the moves made in the secondary in the offseason.
The Steelers added Kansas City Chiefs starter Steven Nelson and drafted Justin Layne, a talented Michigan State product with immense upside. Veterans Joe Haden and Mike Hilton are still on the roster as well.
With four corners locked in, Burns isn't a product of the numbers game. However, his play on the field since his solid rookie year has been less than promising. He lost his way out of the starting rotation last year, and, according to Pro Football Focus, has allowed 13 touchdowns in three seasons.
With youngsters Nelson and Layne appearing to be the future and Haden still doing his thing, Burns is already buried in the depth chart. However, don't expect a cut; he should warrant some trade value. A departure may be best for both sides.
