As expected, William Gay's career with the Steelers has come to an end.
The veteran cornerback posted on Instagram Monday that he has been informed the team will release him and he looks forward to trying to catch on with another club in 2018.
Gay, 33, appeared in all 16 games for the Steelers in 2017, mostly as the team's dime defensive back. He recorded 19 tackles, three passes defensed and one interception in the reduced role. The veteran had opened the 2016 season as a starter but eventually was pushed to the slot by Artie Burns.
The 12-year veteran was a fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2007, winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2008 and playing in another in 2010. He left as a free agent in 2012, signing with Arizona. But the Cardinals released him after one season and he returned to Pittsburgh.
With Gay's release, Ben Roethlisberger is the lone remaining player who has won a Super Bowl with the Steelers, having done so in 2005 and 2008.
Gay's departure trims $1.75 million off the Steelers' salary cap for 2018. The team currently has just over $1 million in cap space but needs room to make offers to restricted free agents Chris Boswell and Anthony Chickillo. Receiver Eli Rogers, who is recovering from an ACL injury, is not expected to receive a tender offer.
The Steelers also are expected to release safety Mike Mitchell prior to the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. Wednesday at a savings of $5 million.
