The Steelers' secondary looked to be set earlier this week when the team re-signed cornerback Cam Sutton to a two-year deal. But that could be changing soon.
According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, cornerback Steven Nelson has asked for and received permission to seek a trade.
Steelers have granted permission to starting CB Steven Nelson to seek a trade, per source. Nelson, who turned 28 in January, has been graded as one of the league’s top cornerbacks in recent seasons by @PFF.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2021
That move coincides with the announcement the Steelers also are set to bring wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster back on a one-year deal worth $8 million. The deal includes a $7 million signing bonus and five voidable years -- the new norm -- which makes his cap hit $1.6 million.
Officially official ✍️ pic.twitter.com/s0fg2aHM6m
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 19, 2021
Smith-Schuster reportedly turned down incentive-laden deals with the Ravens and Chiefs that would have paid him slightly more in up-front money on one-year contracts.
Trading Nelson would free up just over $8 million in cap space.
Now, that doesn't mean Nelson will absolutely be traded. He also could be released at some point if the Steelers cannot work out a deal because the team cannot officially sign Smith-Schuster until that money is cleared.
But Nelson obviously has something going on that has caused him to point that he wasn't going to be with the Steelers long term. A cryptic tweet he posted two days ago now makes more sense.
Moment of truth
— Steve Nelson (@Nelson_Island) March 17, 2021
Nelson, formerly with the Chiefs, joined the Steelers in 2019 on a three-year, $25.5-million contract that was the richest in team history given to an outside free agent. The 28-year-old has put together back-to-back solid seasons, teaming with Joe Haden to give the team its most talented pair of starting corners in decades.
He is slated to count $14.42 million against the team's salary cap this season thanks to a restructure last year that created cap space for the Steelers. But his base salary is just $8.25 million, which is what the Steelers would save against their salary cap if he is dealt.
If Nelson leaves, the Steelers could choose to try to replace him in the draft or go with a combination of Sutton, Justin Layne and James Pierre to replace him.
The return of Smith-Schuster, 24, would keep together one of the league's top young receiving groups. Smith-Schuster, a 2017 second-round draft pick, has caught 308 passes in his first four seasons, including a team-high 97 in 2020.
"I know that this team needed that. We needed that," offensive tackle Zach Banner, who re-signed with the team earlier in the week told me. "It’s a guy in the locker room who is another Energizer Bunny, that’s always energetic. When he catches the ball, he wants to run somebody over. He wants to block. The best part, like myself, he wants to stay here in Pittsburgh. He loves Pittsburgh."
The Steelers also have Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and James Washington returning.
Smith-Schuster went into free agency this year as one of the top receivers available, but the market was slow for wide receivers given the number of young receivers who have come into the league in recent years -- including Johnson and Claypool -- and another strong wide receiver class in this year's draft.
Smith-Schuster obviously is hoping to hit the market again in 2022 -- when he'll still be just 25 -- and be better able to cash in with a big deal.