The Pittsburgh Steelers are shaking things up on defense, cutting Darius Slay and promoting Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. This move comes as a surprise, given Slay's high-profile signing just a few months ago.
Slay, who was a healthy scratch against the Bills, had been hoping for a release to explore other opportunities. His contract, worth $10 million for the season, included a substantial signing bonus of $8.74 million and a modest base salary of $1.255 million. If another team claims him on waivers, they'll only be on the hook for the remaining $350,000 of his base salary.
This decision reflects the Steelers' philosophy, as coach Mike Tomlin famously stated that players should be volunteers, not hostages. Slay's unhappiness in Pittsburgh might have contributed to this outcome. The team's strategy seems to be prioritizing a fresh start and exploring other defensive options, even if it means letting go of a high-profile free agent.
