Steelers release former Packers S Burnett
-- One and done in Pittsburgh after eight seasons in Green Bay.
The Steelers released veteran safety Morgan Burnett on Monday, the team announced.
Burnett requested his release as early as January, not long after the Steelers' season ended. However, general manager Kevin Colbert wanted to trade Burnett before cutting ties with him completely.
The Steelers signed Mark Barron during free agency, who essentially plays Burnett's role as a hybrid linebacker in the box. While Burnett's services became expendable, his preference was likely to hit the market so he could cash in with a new team sooner rather than later.
Now free to sign anywhere, Burnett, 30, will bring a veteran safety presence capable of playing in the teeth of any defense. During his time with the Packers, he was one of their more substantial players in terms of tackling, tallying 717 of them in those eight years. He also had nine interceptions and eight forced fumbles in 102 games.
Burnett played in 11 games last season with the Steelers, accumulating 30 tackles and six passes defended.
Burnett joins a relatively bare safety market, but he does share it with some recognizable names, including Eric Berry, Tre Boston, Glover Quinn and Mike Mitchell.
While the Packers have moved forward with their new regime, it's unlikely they'll dip back into the Mike McCarthy era for a player like Burnett. It may also seem like a redundant move considering their 2017 second-round pick in Josh Jones plays Burnett's role.
Adrian Amos, their newly-acquired safety via free agency, also boasts the ability to play in multiple positions. It's unknown whether or not the Packers view him as a free safety -- where he played a large portion of snaps for the Chicago Bears last year -- or as a strong safety who occasionally dips into the box.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (21)
TheBigCheeze
April 01, 2019 at 01:52 pm
....veteran's minimum only.....
Demon
April 01, 2019 at 02:34 pm
Not interested. Another injury prone guy that at his best is average. Has to be better options somewhere.
Coldworld
April 01, 2019 at 02:49 pm
A little harsh, since I think his injuries were related in part to having him play in the hybrid linebacker role. He might have some value as a compliment to Amos as a SS. I wouldn’t rule it out at the right price.
He provides an upgrade over what we have now in two safety packages allowing time for draft picks to develop. In any case, I wouldn’t expect anything to occur now until after the draft and subsequent roster tweaks by teams.
JakeDickerson
April 01, 2019 at 02:59 pm
The thing is those options aren’t available currently on the GB roster.
jannesbjornson
April 01, 2019 at 08:58 pm
He could come in as a coaching assistant. His playing days are done.
Lare
April 01, 2019 at 02:54 pm
Probably another signing for Green Bay East (Cleveland).
Hawg Hanner
April 01, 2019 at 03:48 pm
Pro Football Focus rates him green/good as the 53rd rates safety. Would you keep Tramon and pick up Morgan. To me its either/or and I'd take Burnett at $4mil and release Tramon who is getting what 7 mil.
Dzehren
April 01, 2019 at 04:58 pm
GB paid Tramon a $1M roster bonus last week. His ability to play CB or Safety is what GB likes.
EddieLeeIvory
April 01, 2019 at 03:57 pm
I agree: no thanks. However he is 10x better than Kentrell Brice was.
Packer_Fan
April 01, 2019 at 04:07 pm
Only consider post draft at close to the veteran minimum.
Ryan3468
April 01, 2019 at 04:22 pm
If he is cheaper than Tramon, but it seems Tramon though older still has more talent, and will left over. The assessment of Green Bay not being good at all at football until consistently proving otherwise is the understatement of the offseason.
TXCHEESE
April 01, 2019 at 05:08 pm
Tramon can play both corner and safety. Burnett would be a nice insurance policy for the right price, but otherwise, no thanks.
holmesmd
April 02, 2019 at 12:01 pm
I like Tramon a lot but did anyone see him getting his ankles broken on ISO’s by some of the better WR’s in the league?! He may still be a decent zone CB but I’m afraid his ability to cover 1 on 1 has pretty much left. I still can’t believe they didn’t sign BB. Him, King, and JA would be one of the best CB line ups in the entire league. Jackson doesn’t have the fluidity to play press man and the dude is handsy as all get out. Good zone CB though. One would assume with our improved ability to deploy 4-5 man pressure from the defensive front, they should be playing a lot of press behind that. We have 2 corners that have demonstrated the ability to do that consistently. Who is the 3rd & most likely needed 4th guy? Letting Breeland walk was a real head scratcher IMO. Let’s not even talk about any of the CB’s getting hurt in camp let alone the pre or regular season. We are pretty thin suddenly at CB.
CoachJV
April 01, 2019 at 05:23 pm
Gute is NOT going to sign the same guy he cut one year ago. Anything else is just sentimental thinking.
I don't know why we must continue to want players for sentimental reasons when they would not help the team get better.
Pass on Burnett... I thank him for what he did when he was here, but that ship sailed a year ago.
jannesbjornson
April 01, 2019 at 09:02 pm
It depends upon whether the Fans are sober or working the liquid lunch when they comment. Burnett has lost what speed he had and he was never a playmaker. Draft a safety with #30 and another guy in the later rounds get younger and faster.
PAPackerbacker
April 01, 2019 at 07:12 pm
No on Burnett. Pittsburgh released him for a reason. If he was good then Pittsburgh would not have agreed to his request to be released. He was injured and didn't play up to the expectations Pittsburgh thought he would. Let him find employment elsewhere. As suggested, maybe Cleveland will be interested in him. Look to the draft to find young talent at the position.
Lare
April 01, 2019 at 07:33 pm
Seems like a lot of Steelers players wanting to play elsewhere. Have to wonder if that's a statement on the organization, coaching, city, fans, ego's?
LeotisHarris
April 02, 2019 at 08:02 am
I'm surprised at the exodus, too. To me Tomlin has always been a class act, and a coach players respect. Something is off, for sure.
No to bringing Morgan back. He's a good guy and I wish him the best in whatever is next.
holmesmd
April 02, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Big Ben is allegedly a cancer like Favre was near the end. Lots of locker room chaos in Pit. I’m sure talented guys would prefer to play elsewhere if they have the leverage to do so. No big surprise IMO
Irish_Cheesehead
April 01, 2019 at 07:37 pm
No thanks. Tramon > Morgan
Buschmen
April 01, 2019 at 07:55 pm
Tre Boston is a much better option