The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to decliner their fifth-year option on cornerback Artie Burns, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. This will make Burns a free agent next offseason.
Burns is coming off of a 2018 campaign in which he played all 16 games and finished with 22 tackles and a forced fumble in a disappointing showing overall.
The 24-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Miami, was originally selected by the Steelers in the first round (25th pick overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
He appeared in all 16 contests during his rookie year, totaling 64 tackles, three interceptions, and 13 passes defended. Then, the following year, Burns registered 54 tackles, a pick, a couple of fumble recoveries, and 13 passes defended.
The Miami native then lost his starting job after six games this past season. However, Fowler adds that Pittsburgh is hoping that Burns can re-enter the rotation in 2019.
The Steelers went 9-6-1 this past year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013 in spite of a 7-2-1 start. Locker room issues derailed the team in the second half of the year, as tension between Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, not to mention Le'Veon Bell's season-long holdout, eventually did Pittsburgh in.
With Brown and Bell now both playing elsewhere, the Steelers are hoping for a culture change in the locker room, although Roethlisberger will also need to improve upon his leadership skills if Pittsburgh really wants a peaceful season.
Prior to 2018, the Steelers had posted double-digit win seasons in four consecutive years, topping out at 13 victories in 2017.
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