What will perhaps go down as the most unusual cut down day in Steelers history began with a few surprises. The NFL required all teams to cut down to the 53 man roster limit by 4:00 pm on Saturday September 5th, and the Steelers cuts included two names that everyone knows.
First, the Steelers cut Ryan Switzer, who served as their primary kick and punt returner during 2018 and 2019 and who had an extremely close relationship with Ben Roethlisberger. Injuries limited Ryan Switzer’s effectiveness in 2019 and ultimately ended his season.
Cutting Ryan Switzer was the 1st Steelers surprise on cut down day, 2020.
Still, word out of Steelers training camp was that Ryan Switzer looked good, prompting Ed Bouchette of The Athletic to report that Switzer’s roster spot remained safe, while Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider leaned in that direction.
- Say one thing about Daniel McCullers time in Pittsburgh, he has constantly surprised.
Going into the 2018 off season “D” seemed to indicate “disappointment” for Daniel McCullers time in Pittsburgh has his playing time regressed following his second year. Yet, the transition from John Mitchell to Karl Dunbar opened the door to a 2nd contract for Daniel McCullers, and although he didn’t play much more in 2018, he did well enough to get himself a third contract in 2019.
Daniel McCullers closes in on RGIII in the 2016 season finale. Photo Credit: Joe Sargent, Getty Images via BTSC
Word in training camp was that Daniel McCullers had slimed down and was playing his best football yet.
- Alas, his best wasn’t good enough, as the Steeler cut him.
The other Steelers initial cuts include:
Quarterback
Paxton Lynch
Running backs
Kerrith Whyte Jr.
Trey Edmunds
Wendell Smallwood
Wide Receivers
Saeed Blacknall
DeAndre Thompkins
Deon Cain
Amara Darboh
Offensive linemen
Christian DiLauro
John Keenoy
Derwin Gray
Anthony Coyle
Jarron Jones
Tight Ends
Kyle Markway
Kevin Rader
Defensive Linemen
Cavon Walker
Henry Mondeaux
Calvin Taylor
Linebackers
Tuzar Skipper
Jayrone Elliott
Defensive Backs
Trajan Bandy
John Battle
Antoine Brooks Jr
Special Teams
Punter Corliss Waitman and long snapper Liam McCullough
Of the group above, the only real surprise is the decision to cut Antoine Brooks Jr, the safety who was the Steelers 6th round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Maryland.
However, more surprises were to come…
…Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin were only getting started.
