Why did the Steelers release Cameron Johnston?
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.
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ARTICLE DETAIL
Steelers Release Cameron Johnston: Corliss Waitman Wins Punter Battle | Browns Quarterback Dilemma: Would Justin Fields or Kyler Murray Make Things Worse? | Romeo Doubs Signs 4-Year Deal with New England Patriots | Chicago Bears Attempt to Re-Sign Key Safety Kevin Byard | A'Shawn Robinson's Release: Impact and Potential Suitors | Texans Bolster Offensive Line with Braden Smith Signing | Kalif Raymond Joins Bears on 1-Year Deal | Browns Bolster Offensive Line with Zion Johnson Signing | Leo Chenal Free Agency Outlook: Potential Roles and Team Fits | Steelers Release Cameron Johnston: Corliss Waitman Wins Punter Battle | Browns Quarterback Dilemma: Would Justin Fields or Kyler Murray Make Things Worse? | Romeo Doubs Signs 4-Year Deal with New England Patriots | Chicago Bears Attempt to Re-Sign Key Safety Kevin Byard | A'Shawn Robinson's Release: Impact and Potential Suitors | Texans Bolster Offensive Line with Braden Smith Signing | Kalif Raymond Joins Bears on 1-Year Deal | Browns Bolster Offensive Line with Zion Johnson Signing | Leo Chenal Free Agency Outlook: Potential Roles and Team Fits
NFL / Steelers
Steelers Release Cameron Johnston: Corliss Waitman Wins Punter Battle
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a surprising roster move by releasing veteran punter Cameron Johnston, paving the way for Corliss Waitman to take over as the team's starting punter. This decision came ahead of the deadline to reduce the r...
Key Insights
- Cameron Johnston, who was expected to be the front-runner, was released despite returning from a season-ending injury in 2024.
- Corliss Waitman served as the punter in Johnston's absence last season and performed admirably.
- The Steelers will save $2.5 million in both 2025 and 2026 by cutting Johnston, while incurring a dead money hit of just over $958,000 in those years.
- Johnston's release makes him a top free-agent punter option for other teams.
In-Depth Analysis
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.
FAQ
What will Cameron Johnston do now?
Johnston will likely look to sign with another NFL team as a free agent.
Takeaways
- Corliss Waitman is the new starting punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- The Steelers made a cap-conscious decision by releasing Johnston.
- Cameron Johnston is now a free agent and will seek opportunities with other teams.
- This move demonstrates the cutthroat nature of NFL roster decisions.
Discussion
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!
Sources
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