Steelers Cut Former Super Bowl Champ

With the 2023 NFL Draft just weeks away, teams have begun to clear space to make room for new prospects. That can mean jettisoning older, more expensive players in favor of younger, cheaper ones with more upside.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a move like that on Wednesday, releasing outside linebacker Jamir Jones.

Steelers Roster Move

Jones, 24, spent the 2022 season with the Steelers after being waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars during training camp. He ended up appearing in all 17 regular-season games for Pittsburgh, playing 8% of defensive snaps and 57% of special teams snaps. He finished with 10 tackles and 1 pass defended, making a decent impact despite not starting any games.

The Notre Dame product played briefly for the Steelers in 2021 as well, earning his only career start so far. He spent the bulk of 2021 with the Los Angeles Rams, however, appearing in 10 games for them and helping them win the Super Bowl that year.

Given Jones' contributions to Pittsburgh last season, the team will have to replace his presence somehow. Time will tell whether that happens through the draft, free agency or a trade.