Steelers Release Cameron Johnston: Corliss Waitman Wins Punter Battle

Why does this matter? This decision impacts the Steelers' special teams unit and their overall cap situation. It also highlights the competitive nature of NFL roster decisions, where even veterans aren't guaranteed a spot.

The Steelers' punter battle between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman has been a key storyline throughout the offseason. Johnston, who signed a three-year, $9 million deal last offseason, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 of 2024, opening the door for Waitman to step in.

While Johnston was expected to reclaim his role, Waitman's performance in the preseason, particularly his strong showing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (averaging 58.0 yards on three punts), seemingly gave him the edge. Despite a shanked punt in the preseason finale, the Steelers ultimately decided that Waitman's overall performance and the cap savings associated with releasing Johnston made him the better choice.

This move reflects the Steelers' focus on optimizing their roster and managing their cap effectively. By going with Waitman, they save a significant amount of money over the next two seasons, which can be used to address other needs on the team.

The Steelers released Johnston to save $2.5 million in cap space in both 2025 and 2026 and because Corliss Waitman performed well enough to win the starting job.

Johnston will likely look to sign with another NFL team as a free agent.

Do you think the Steelers made the right decision at punter? Let us know in the comments! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!