The Pittsburgh Steelers season came to an end during Super Wild Card Weekend. They lost to the Buffalo Bills on Monday afternoon, 31-17, ending what has been and up-and-down campaign for the franchise.
Rumors are swirling about the future of head coach Mike Tomlin, as some believe that the Steelers will move on from him after 17 seasons. He has yet to have a losing season as head coach of the team, but analysts believe it is time for a change.
It would certainly be risky moving on from someone who has had such success leading the franchise. While the Steelers haven’t won as much recently in the postseason as fans and the organization would have liked, Tomlin has kept afloat some rather underwhelming rosters in recent years.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Allen Robinson & Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
Heading into Year 2 as general manager, Omar Khan has a few holes that need to be addressed on the roster. Getting younger at cornerback is among them, as is figuring something out at linebacker. They also need to take a long, hard look at the quarterback position and decide whether or not Kenny Pickett is their guy moving forward.
Needing some cap space to address those needs, NFL writer Aaron Schatz has made a bold prediction about a move the Steelers will make. He believes they will move on from veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson this offseason.
“The Steelers will cut veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson II, who was a disappointment in 2023 (34 catches for 280 yards). That move can save the Steelers $10 million on the cap in 2024 with just $1.9 million in dead money,” wrote Schatz.
Robinson played 72 percent of the offensive snaps for the Steelers this season, as their clear-cut No. 3 receiver behind George Pickens and Diontae Johnson. However, this isn’t a passing attack that can buoy the stats of three wide receivers, especially when tight end Pat Freiermuth and running backs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris are so heavily involved.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Allen Robinson & Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
Opportunity certainly hasn’t been lacking for Robinson when it comes to producing on the field. The 72 percent of snaps he played this season is the lowest percentage he has been on the field for in a season in his career, outside of 2017 when he was hurt in Week 1.
Despite that, he has not been able to get close to replicating the production he had in 2020 with the Chicago Bears, when he had 1,250 yards and six touchdowns. In three seasons since, he has only 1,029 yards and four touchdowns in 38 games.
Unless Robinson is willing to take a massive pay cut or restructure his contract, it would be a no-brainer for the Steelers to move on from him. That is a lot of money that can be saved by releasing him and used elsewhere on the roster.
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