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The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Morgan Burnett last year in free agency to be the starting safety alongside Sean Davis in the deep secondary. What happened was Burnett suffered several injuries leading up to the 2019 season, and gave way to Terrell Edmunds to start.
The plan for the two safeties was to have Edmunds fill the hybrid linebacker/safety position his rookie season with Burnett playing the natural safety position; however, with Burnett’s injury history he was stuck playing nothing more than in specific sub packages.
This was why Burnett requested his release from the team this offseason, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team plans on granting him his wish by April 1st.
Steelers have informed veteran S Morgan Burnett that they will release him by April 1, per the player’s request, said his agent Kevin Conner. Burnett was told release would occur Weds, but Steelers say accounting issues will delay it another week. Another S about to be on market
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 22, 2019
According to Schefter, the team would have released Burnett already, per his request, but due to ‘accounting issues’ it delayed the process. Burnett will get a chance to hit the open market sooner than later, and is hoping to find a role somewhere which included more playing time than what he received in Pittsburgh.
Burnett’s impending release should have absolutely no impact on the team’s plans as the 2019 NFL Draft approaches, and the addition of Mark Barron will soften the blow as the converted safety is more than experienced with covering and playing that hybrid role.
UPDATE:
The Steelers aren’t just going to cut bait with Burnett, but are trying to trade him first. This from both ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. If they can’t trade him, he will likely be released.
After signing S/LB Mark Barron, the Steelers are trying to trade S Morgan Burnett, but will release him if a deal cannot be worked out, per source.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 22, 2019
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as the offseason drags on.