Former Steelers Punter Expresses Sadness After Feeling Cheated On By The Organization

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone through a few tough injuries early on in the 2024 campaign. They are already set to miss their rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu for the rest of the regular season, and the same goes for veteran right guard James Daniels. One of the most anticipated offseason signings was surprisingly a specialist in punter Cameron Johnston, who is considered one of the best punters in the league. He is also out for the year after sustaining a devastating injury.

Johnston kicked the ball extremely well throughout training camp and the preseason, but he suffered a horrible knee injury in Week 1 that will keep him out for at least the rest of the 2024 season. Pittsburgh signed Corliss Waitman as his replacement. Many fans thought the team would pick up Brad Wing, who was the team's starting punter back in 2014 and filled in for two games during the 2023 season - but that was not the case. 

Wing spoke about not getting an opportunity with Pittsburgh after Johnston's injury during an episode of Kickin' It With Dee.

"That presented an opportunity to where I just thought, you know, that I was going to be considered and get a phone call, and unfortunately, that didn't happen for whatever reason," said Wing. "They ended up bringing in six punters and they do a workout there, and they pick the best guy, whatever. But they brought in six punters and I didn't get a call."

It is completely understandable for Wing to assume he would have gotten a phone call after Johnston went down during Pittsburgh's Week 1 contest. The team was in the same situation during the 2023 season when Pressley Harvin III went down and Wing filled in for two games. Wing kicked the ball well during those two appearances, and it is a bit shocking he wasn't at least brought in for a workout after Johnston's injury.

It was a bit of a shock when the Steelers went back to Harvin after his injury during the 2023 season. Harvin was extremely inconsistent, while Wing came in and averaged 45 yards per punt and landed three inside the 20. At the time, he seemed like a better option for Pittsburgh, but the organization stuck with Harvin. 

Wing spoke more about how he felt to see the Steelers go with Waitman for their replacement in 2024, and not even getting an invite to a workout. 

"I was shocked really," Wing continued. "You know what it felt like bro? It felt like when you found out Santa Clause wasn't real or like - I don't know if you've been cheated on, I've been cheated on, but to me, it was like, 'No, what?' Because to me, I love the Steelers. I love the people there, my experience there, and I only played there for a year and some change right, but my experiences there were like no other. As much as I want to be mad at them, I can't. They're like that bad b**ch in the room you can't stop looking at, you know what I mean?"

Wing is clearly very appreciative of the organization and what they have done for him over the years, but he still holds a slight grudge for not being considered to come and punt after the Johnston injury. He could have been given the punter job for the remainder of the year in 2023, he could have been given the punter job during the 2024 offseason once Harvin was released, and he could have been considered for the punter job in 2024. It is completely understandable why he might have a bit of ill-will towards Pittsburgh.

Steelers' Corliss Waitman Has Impressed In Relief Of Cameron Johnston

Waitman won the punting job after going through a workout in Pittsburgh. The organization was familiar with him as well after he spent parts of the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Steelers. He only has four touchbacks in 22 punts for the Steelers, and he has been able to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line nine times. Even though fans may have liked to see the team bring Wing back into the fold, Waitman has more than impressed since arriving in Pittsburgh.

What do you think about Wing's comments? Let us know below!

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