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There has been an ongoing joke among Pittsburgh Steelers fans regarding Daniel McCullers’ tenure in the Steel City. No one has earned more money Pittsburgh without playing significant snaps than McCullers.
Every year fans and experts predicted the end of the road for McCullers, and when the rosters were cut down to 53, the man they called the “Shade Tree” would find his way on the roster.
His size immediately had him brimming with potential, but tapping into that potential was something which the Steelers’ coaching staff simply couldn’t get from the former Tennessee product. The Steelers made it very clear they valued McCullers, but not enough for an active roster spot. Prior to the start of the 2020 season, McCullers took a veteran, and unprotected, spot on the team’s expanded practice squad. However, the latest NFL transaction report shows McCullers’ time in Pittsburgh might be coming to an end.
This per Brooke Pryor of ESPN:
Per NFL transaction report, Steelers DL Dan McCullers listed under "CONTRACTS TERMINATED BY PLAYER" category.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 22, 2020
Most that end up there are PS players who sign to active rosters. Seems like Big Dan is headed to another club.
In his previous six season after being drafted by the Steelers in the 6th round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Tennessee, McCullers played in a total of 73 regular season games while being credited with 3 starts. McCullers was credited with 41 total tackles, 2.5 career sacks, 9 quarterback hits, and 2 passes defensed. The majority of McCullers stats came in 2016 when he appeared in every game and 17 tackles, one sack, one pass defensed, and 5 quarterback hits.
The transaction means the Steelers will be able to bring someone else onto their expanded roster spot, so be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news on this story, as well as where McCullers lands prior to Week 3 of the regular season. In the meantime, we will have the upcoming Week 3 game between the Steelers and Houston Texans broken down inside and out for Steelers fans to enjoy. Stay tuned!