Unable to find a trade partner for his services, the Steelers released cornerback Steven Nelson on Monday.
The team gave Nelson the OK to seek a trade last week, but were unable to find any offers for the six-year veteran. His release saves the Steelers $8.25 million against the 2021 salary cap, but he does still count $6.17 million in dead money.
The Steelers signed Nelson to a three-year, $25.5 million contract in free agency in 2019. It was the largest free-agent contract ever handed out by the team.
In two years with the Steelers, the former third-round draft pick of the Chiefs had three interceptions and 17 pass defenses.
Pittsburgh much love I appreciate the opportunity and the relationships I gained along the way Respect to a Class A organization from top down. Thank you to my day 1 supporters and canβt forget my haters you motivate me more than you knowπ― #nelsonisland
β Steve Nelson (@Nelson_Island) March 23, 2021
But like many teams across the league, the Steelers needed salary cap space because of the pandemic and felt Nelson's contract outweighed his production.
With Nelson gone, the Steelers will turn to Cam Sutton, signed to a two-year, $9 million contract last week, as his primary replacement. Sutton also could then move inside to slot cornerback in the sub packages, opening the way for 2019 third-round draft pick Justin Layne or James Pierre, an undrafted rookie who made the roster last season, to play on the outside.
The move to release Nelson gives the Steelers $10 million in salary cap space, perhaps suggesting that another move is in the works.
