As the NFL preseason comes to a close, teams are making tough decisions on their rosters. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of those decisions came as a surprise to many. After a highly anticipated punter battle between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman, the Steelers have made a bold move by cutting their projected starter and saving $9 million in the process.
The news of the Steelers cutting their punter, Cameron Johnston, came as a shock to many fans and analysts. Johnston, who was signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract in the offseason, was expected to be the team’s starting punter for the upcoming season. However, after a strong showing in the preseason by undrafted rookie Corliss Waitman, the Steelers decided to make a change.
This decision may seem sudden and unexpected, but it is a testament to the Steelers’ commitment to building a winning team. The organization is not afraid to make tough decisions in order to put the best players on the field. And in this case, it seems that Waitman has proven himself to be the better option.
Waitman, who played college football at South Alabama, has impressed the Steelers coaching staff with his strong leg and accuracy. In the preseason, he averaged 48.3 yards per punt and had a long of 60 yards. He also showed great control and placement, pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line multiple times. This performance has earned him the trust and confidence of the Steelers’ coaching staff, leading to their decision to cut Johnston.
While it may be a difficult pill to swallow for Johnston, who was expected to be the starter, he understands that this is a business and the best players will be on the field. In a statement released by the team, Johnston expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete for the starting job and his respect for the organization’s decision.
This move also speaks to the Steelers’ financial strategy. By cutting Johnston, the team saves $9 million in cap space, which can be used to address other areas of need on the roster. This shows that the Steelers are not only focused on winning now, but also planning for the future.
The decision to cut Johnston also highlights the importance of competition in the NFL. The Steelers brought in Waitman as an undrafted rookie, but he was able to earn a spot on the team and beat out a veteran player. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Waitman, as well as the Steelers’ commitment to giving every player a fair chance to prove themselves.
As the regular season approaches, the Steelers will now move forward with Waitman as their starting punter. While some may view this as a risky move, it is clear that the organization has faith in Waitman’s abilities and believes he can help the team win games.
In conclusion, the Steelers’ decision to cut Cameron Johnston and go with Corliss Waitman as their starting punter may have come as a surprise, but it is a move that shows the team’s commitment to building a winning roster. Waitman has proven himself to be a talented and reliable punter, and the Steelers are confident that he will help the team achieve success on the field. This bold move also demonstrates the importance of competition and the Steelers’ dedication to making tough decisions in order to put the best team on the field. As the season kicks off, all eyes will be on Waitman as he takes on the role of the Steelers’ starting punter, and fans can only hope that he will continue to impress and contribute to the team’s success.
