Breaking News: Steelers Release Trubisky, Okorafor, and Harvin III
In a shocking move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the release of quarterback Mitch Trubisky, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, and punter Pressley Harvin III. This decision, made on February 12, has sent shockwaves through the NFL community.
Trubisky, who was released after just one season with the Steelers, had high hopes of making an impact on the team. However, his performance fell short of expectations, leading to this unexpected outcome. The Steelers organization confirmed the release of Trubisky, along with Okorafor and Harvin III.
Okorafor, a seasoned player with six seasons under his belt, started in an impressive 59 games for the Steelers. However, his performance took a dip after Week 8, resulting in his benching. Despite his efforts to regain his starting role, Okorafor was unable to secure a spot on the field, playing only 11 offensive snaps in the final 10 games.
Harvin III, the team’s punter, also faced challenges during his time with the Steelers. Known for his inconsistency, Harvin III struggled to deliver consistent results. In the 2023 season, his average punt distance dropped to 43.8 yards, a setback from his previous year’s performance.
With the release of Trubisky, Okorafor, and Harvin III, the Steelers have freed up a significant amount of cap space, totaling nearly $13 million. This move gives the team more flexibility to make future roster adjustments and pursue potential acquisitions.
Replacing Okorafor in the starting lineup was first-round rookie Broderick Jones, who showed promise despite playing in a position that wasn’t his natural fit. Jones stepped up to the challenge and performed admirably at right tackle, while Dan Moore continued to hold down the left tackle position.
The decision to release Okorafor sparked debate among football analysts. Some, like Noah Strackbein of SI.com’s All Steelers, believed that the Steelers should have explored a trade option for Okorafor instead. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic shared a similar sentiment, expressing his preference for a trade rather than a release.
As the dust settles on this surprising announcement, only time will tell how the Steelers will move forward without Trubisky, Okorafor, and Harvin III. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
STEELERS CUT TROUBLESOME PUNTER IN CAP SPACE MOVE
In a surprising move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to part ways with punter Harvin, saving a whopping $8.75 million against the 2024 salary cap. The 25-year-old punter had a frustrating season in 2023, failing to deliver when field position was crucial for the struggling Steelers offense.
During the 2023 season, Harvin punted in 15 out of 17 games, but his performance left much to be desired. The Steelers finished second-to-last in average yards per punt and 28th in net yards per punt. Additionally, they were tied for the third-most touchbacks with 8.
Harvin, who was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft, had shown promise in his first two seasons but failed to live up to expectations. Despite this, he managed to win the punter competition against Braden Mann during training camp last summer.
In his 47 games with Pittsburgh, Harvin averaged 43.7 yards per punt and 39.4 net yards per punt. While his departure opens up nearly $13 million in cap space, it’s important to note that the actual amount will be slightly lower due to displacement.
According to Steelers Depot, the team is currently about $4.3 million over the salary cap, even after the recent moves. This means that the Steelers will likely have to make additional roster changes in order to get out of the negative cap space.
Center Mason Cole, cornerback Patrick Peterson, and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi are among the players who are due roster bonuses in March. While they were not part of the recent cuts, their future with the team remains uncertain as the Steelers desperately need more cap space.
It seems that the Steelers are determined to make significant changes to their roster in order to improve their financial situation and build a stronger team for the upcoming season. Only time will tell how these moves will impact the team’s performance on the field.
According to the Source heavy.com