Steelers release Pro Bowl G David DeCastro

[hawaiiansteeler]

Steelers release Pro Bowl G David DeCastro

Published: Jun 24, 2021
Around the NFL Staff

The Steelers are parting ways with one of the pillars of their offensive line.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Pittsburgh has released six-time Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro on Thursday. The team later confirmed the move, which NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported will save $8.75 million in cap space.

The 31-year-old veteran has been having his ankle evaluated recently, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. DeCastro underwent surgery on the ankle before last season and has had issues with it for some time, which also has him contemplating his future in football, Garafolo added.

https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-re...david-decastro

[Born2Steel]

[that1guy]

Didn't the Steelers owe DeCastro is large sum of money? Pouncey, AV, Fieler and now DeCastro... cleaning house.

[86WARD]

I’m sure there’s some injury story behind this that both parties mutually agreed upon the release.

[hwalker84]

Wow. That ankle must be shot.

[Mojouw]

Is this one of those things that a release is financially more beneficial than a retirement?

Seems weird that they didn't just wait a bit and see what Decastro decides...

[Dwinsgames]

Is this one of those things that a release is financially more beneficial than a retirement?

Seems weird that they didn't just wait a bit and see what Decastro decides...

perhaps they already had that talk during OTA's ??

hence bringing in Turner for a chat

[Mojouw]

perhaps they already had that talk during OTA's ??

hence bringing in Turner for a chat

Assume Decastro decides to retire...why release him? Just hold a press conference and let him walk off into the sunset.

I have nothing to base this on...but this makes me think that the team and the player are not on the same side about one of the following:
1. Getting another surgery on the ankle.
2. Payment for the 2021 season
3. Restructuring and moving money into the future.

Because if it was just that Decastro was like...hey I think I want to play - why release him? If he was like...I'm gonna retire...again, why release him?

[Devilsdancefloor]

Assume Decastro decides to retire...why release him? Just hold a press conference and let him walk off into the sunset.

I have nothing to base this on...but this makes me think that the team and the player are not on the same side about one of the following:
1. Getting another surgery on the ankle.
2. Payment for the 2021 season
3. Restructuring and moving money into the future.

Because if it was just that Decastro was like...hey I think I want to play - why release him? If he was like...I'm gonna retire...again, why release him?

that my vote buzz wants to sit and see and they want another surgery so he will be ready for the season

[86WARD]

Assume Decastro decides to retire...why release him? Just hold a press conference and let him walk off into the sunset.

I have nothing to base this on...but this makes me think that the team and the player are not on the same side about one of the following:
1. Getting another surgery on the ankle.
2. Payment for the 2021 season
3. Restructuring and moving money into the future.

Because if it was just that Decastro was like...hey I think I want to play - why release him? If he was like...I'm gonna retire...again, why release him?

He’s contemplating retirement. Steelers aren’t in a position right now to “contemplate retirement”.

The release was also designated as a NFI.

[Mojouw]

He’s contemplating retirement. Steelers aren’t in a position right now to “contemplate retirement”.

The release was also designated as a NFI.

Decastro is a different guy than your usual NFL player. But he’s never not shown up for stuff before.

Like I said, based on nothing, but I feel like there’s something “odd” going on.

By this time next week, it will all come out one way or another.

Honestly, if Decastro still wants to play and he’s medically cleared, he’ll be a Chief by August.

[Dwinsgames]

Assume Decastro decides to retire...why release him? Just hold a press conference and let him walk off into the sunset.

I have nothing to base this on...but this makes me think that the team and the player are not on the same side about one of the following:
1. Getting another surgery on the ankle.
2. Payment for the 2021 season
3. Restructuring and moving money into the future.

Because if it was just that Decastro was like...hey I think I want to play - why release him? If he was like...I'm gonna retire...again, why release him?

why .... because there is a bigger cap savings in a release than a retirement ..that savings can land his replacement

[Mojouw]

why .... because there is a bigger cap savings in a release than a retirement ..that savings can land his replacement

Is there? I was looking for that information and couldn’t find it. If so, that’s a dumb rule. Or maybe there’s some aspect of it I don’t get.

[Dwinsgames]

perhaps they already had that talk during OTA's ??

hence bringing in Turner for a chat

[86WARD]

They save $8.75M in cap space with this release. $5.5M in dead money.

[dislocatedday]

Goodness gracious...........a basically completely new offensive line at all 5 positions this year. The Steelers have their work cut out for them with establishing a whole new starting line.

[DesertSteel]

Hall of Honor? I think so.

[BlackAndGold]

So the report is that DeCastro needs a 3rd ankle surgery, and he is considering retirement.

[tube517]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...medium=twitter

I know the injuries and surgery coming up were a big part but this stuck out to me and what I was thinking before all of this came to light:

Still, he admitted it would have been difficult this season to play without his two longtime linemates and friends, center Maurkice Pouncey and tackle Al Villanueva.

[pczach]

He was a great player for 5his team. He will be missed.

I think we are starting to get a better picture of just how bad this OL was last year. I kept telling anyone that would listen that they were awful, and that Ben was getting criticized for being put in a position where no QB could succeed.

Big Ben had no running game, poor play in front of him with little time to throw, and his receivers led the NFL in drops.

I'm hoping they can put together an OL that gives the offense balance with a solid running game, and gives the QB more time to throw.

[DesertSteel]

Does it financially benefit DeCastro that he as released as opposed to retiring? Otherwise, I have to assume it was done out of urgency to replace him if DeCastro wanted to wait it out before retiring.

[hawaiiansteeler]

David DeCastro bashes Steelers for how they released him

June 25, 2021
by Grey Papke

It’s safe to say veteran offensive lineman David DeCastro is not happy with how he was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

DeCastro, a starter for the Steelers his entire career, was released Thursday by the team with a non-football injury designation and immediately replaced by free agent signing Trai Turner. The reasons appeared purely financial, as the Steelers were able to open up an extra $5.75 million in cap space by swapping DeCastro out for Turner. The non-football injury designation also means DeCastro will not be paid much of what he was owed as he entered the final season of his current deal, which carried a $14.2 million cap hit.

DeCastro knows this was about money. On Friday, he took a clear shot at the organization for the non-football injury designation on the release.

to read rest of article:

https://larrybrownsports.com/footbal...e-money/580743

[Fire Goodell]

it's a business, man

[Drazo85]

It's a low class move with that designation, but it's not my money. I guess the Steelers are the same as every other franchise when it comes to that.

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[DesertSteel]

It's a low class move with that designation

Is it true? If so, how does that make it low class?

[Drazo85]

Is it true? If so, how does that make it low class?

As I previously stated I'll eat the crow if I was mistaken. I was and I'm not enjoying my dinner. DeCastro obviously wasn't sure what he wants to do and was buying time. Steelers couldn't wait any longer. That's it. There's just one thing, they voided his remaining guarantees with NFI and that's the only thing I was referring to when I was trying to prove some kind of point. But it's a moot point. He wasn't sincere, Steelers moved on, case closed.

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[Steeler-in-west]

He’s getting old, his buddies are all gone, he has nagging injuries,

typical things that make us all rethink the direction of our professional careers, happens to everyone

maybe the dedication is not there and the Steelers recognized it - if anything it tells me the Steelers are all in for this season

[teegre]

DeCastro could have had surgery back in January. He didn’t; he waited until the start of training camp. The timing makes it appear that DeCastro wants to get paid to rehab (not play) for a portion of the season. Ergo, some of the onus falls on him.

I remember this same situation occurring with another player… with a similar outcome.

[Born2Steel]

Fans complain about keeping players too long past their prime. Fans complain that the Steelers don't pay enough and lose out on FAs and/or UDFA invites. This is one of the few times I personally feel they acted out of character though. I hope the other side of this comes out, and I didn't feel that comment by DeCastro was all that "BASHING" either really, but it paints a picture that he was dumped out of hand and for purely financial reasons.("The owners are billionaires for a reason") I am willing to bet there was a conversation and time allowed to consider a path. DeCastro seems to have decided he was going to have surgery and thus miss all of TC and who knows how much more time. A replacement was needed and fast. Financial decisions were made by the FO that again, I feel is out of character, but had to be done for what's best for the team. I'm not happy this happened to DeCastro but I can give a pass for this out of character move under these circumstances. This time.

[Drazo85]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but what I read is that Steelers put a NFI designation to his release and with that avoided paying him money that is already counting against the cap. So Steelers basically treated his release like he was injured off the field and thus guarantees were voided. His play declined and that's fine, release him. There were no reports during his time here that he was problematic, his demeanor was always impeccable, and basically he sounded like a well rounded, level headed, smart and nice person. As far as I know, faking and avoiding stuff doesn't sound like him. So either he went completely out of character and was deceitful or Steelers are like just any other franchise. I believe in second but I'll eat the crow if it's proven otherwise.


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