The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the final stretch of a crucial phase as they prepare to finalize their 53-man roster. This offseason brought an influx of new faces to the Steel City, from highly anticipated additions, to under-the-radar players fighting for a chance to make the team. As training camp progressed and the preseason concluded, the Steelers have been forced to make difficult decisions, releasing players as they trim down their roster to meet the NFL's deadline.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Daijun Edwards runs past a Texans defender during a preseason game.
On Monday morning, the Steelers revealed the release of several players as part of this roster reduction. Among those cut were offensive lineman Tyler Beach, wide receiver Jacob Copeland, running back Daijun Edwards, offensive lineman Devery Hamilton, and wide receiver T.J. Luther.
On the defensive side, the team parted ways with defensive lineman Marquiss Spencer, linebacker Kyahva Tezino, and defensive back Kiondre Thomas. However, the roster moves didn’t end there, signaling that more tough decisions lie ahead as the Steelers work to assemble their final squad.
On Monday afternoon, Teresa Varley of Steelers.com revealed Pittsburgh was releasing three more players.
"The Steelers continue to make roster moves as they work toward the mandatory 53-man roster, which is required by Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. The team released offensive lineman Anderson Hardy, defensive back Kyler McMichael and kicker Matthew Wright on Monday afternoon."
The process of trimming down the roster is always a challenging task, filled with difficult and often heartbreaking choices. For every player released, a dream is put on hold, and the team must weigh its immediate needs against potential future contributions. As the Steelers inch closer to finalizing their roster, the focus shifts to ensuring that they have the right mix of talent, depth, and versatility to compete in the upcoming season.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Matthew Wright looks on after kicking a field goal.
The decision to part ways with Matthew Wright is hardly surprising. Wright has cycled through the Steelers’ roster four times, but with Chris Boswell still in his prime and firmly established as one of the league’s most reliable kickers, the team had little reason to carry a second kicker. Wright’s release was essentially a foregone conclusion.
Kyler McMichael, a 24-year-old cornerback, also faced long odds of making the team. His NFL journey has been challenging, and his release is not unexpected. McMichael has bounced around the league since 2022 but has yet to play in a regular-season game. During the preseason, he recorded three tackles and one pass deflection in three appearances for Pittsburgh, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot on the final roster.
Anderson Hardy is another player whose departure doesn’t come as a shock. Signed to a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2024, Hardy, like McMichael, is 24 years old and lacks significant experience. With little expectation that he would make a meaningful impact in 2024, the Steelers determined they didn’t need to keep him on the roster.
Steelers Have More Tough Decisions Ahead Of Them As They Work To Finalize Their 53-Man Roster
The NFL is a business, and it’s one where tough decisions are part of the game. While it’s never easy to end someone’s dream, these decisions aren’t personal—they’re just business, the nature of the NFL.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin smiles in the distance as General Manager Omar Khan watches the team practice.
As roster cuts continue, more players will be released, and Steeler Nation will be closely watching to see who makes the final 53-man roster. For fans, it’s an exciting time, but for players on the fringe, it’s a period filled with stress and uncertainty.
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