When the Steelers released Matt Wile at the end of the preseason, it wasn't all that surprising. After all, Jordan Berry had been the team's punter for three consecutive seasons, and, though Wile had been brought in to push Berry, the team wasn't in any rush to find a replacement.
That could be changing.
Mike Tomlin said Tuesday the Steelers might bring in some punters for workouts this week after Berry has struggled in the team's first two games, averaging just 42.3 yards per kick with a net of 34.8 yards.
That comes on the heels of the team's 0-1-1 start in which the punting game has played a role.
"I'm not comfortable with the result I've seen so far. It's got to be better," Tomlin said. "I thought field position was significant in terms of how that game unfolded. Net punting. They did an awesome job, and we've got to do better."
Last Sunday against Kansas City, Berry averaged 46.4 yards per kick, but much of that was because of a 59-yard kick he boomed through the end zone late in the game when the Steelers would have preferred to pin the Chiefs back in their own territory. Berry's kick nearly landed on the end line.
Earlier, he had a 39-yard punt that was supposed to be angled away from dangerous return man Tyreek Hill. It was fielded by DeAnthony Thomas and returned 31 yards down the sideline to set up Kansas City's first touchdown.
Berry has placed four kicks inside the opposing 20, something he has excelled at throughout his career, but he hasn't been a weapon for the Steelers.
"It's reasonable to expect us to be better," Tomlin said.
Wile, meanwhile, was signed by Minnesota after being released by the Steelers and has averaged 43.4 yards per kick with a 36.4-yard net average. But he also has had a punt blocked in Minnesota's first two games.
The current list of punters with NFL experience on the free agent market includes 42-year-old former Pro Bowl kicker Shane Lechler, Jon Ryan, Jeff Locke and Brad Nortman, among others.