The Steelers have officially released safety Morgan Burnett

At the end of the 2018 season, Morgan Burnett made it clear he was unhappy in Pittsburgh. The role of hybrid linebacker/safety was something he wasn’t interested in doing for the next few seasons, so he wanted out.

The Steelers made it very clear they weren’t about to just let him walk, but wanted to see if they could make a trade for his services. If they were unable to do that, they would grant him his flat out release by April 1st.

Here it is, April 1st, and Burnett has officially been released.

For those who are realistic about the team’s sub packages and current roster, when the team signed Mark Barron it meant the end of the road for Burnett. Barron plays the hybrid role the team wanted Burnett to play when they acquired him in free agency prior to the 2018 season.

Despite Burnett’s frustrations with the Steelers, the one thing which can’t be ignored was just how Burnett was unable to stay on the field. Last season it was thought Burnett would be the starting safety alongside Sean Davis, but his injuries in training camp and the preseason opened the door for Terrell Edmunds — and Edmunds never relinquished that role.

With Burnett gone, the Steelers now move into the offseason, and the NFL Draft, with the safety position on their priority list, maybe not high on their list, to try and stock the cupboard with quality depth.