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

[86WARD]

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

[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?

[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.

[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

[DesertSteel]

Hall of Honor? I think so.

[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

[BlackAndGold]

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

[Dwinsgames]

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

hence bringing in Turner for a chat

[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]

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.

saves over 8.5 million ... 5.5 ( or something close ) in dead money

its a post June 1 cut so can split the dead cap into two parts with next year , so it gives cap relief this year

[HollywoodSteel]

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.

Well it seems like the timing had to be now to clear cap space in order to sign Turner. They couldn’t sit around and wait for DeCastro to retire.

[Dwinsgames]

[Steeler-in-west]

WTF

i guess we really are understanding why the o line play was bad last season, was not only sarrett

[86WARD]

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.

DeCastro was at OTAs just not a participant and rightfully so if he injured himself away from football.

[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.

[Mojouw]

DeCastro was at OTAs just not a participant and rightfully so if he injured himself away from football.

Ah! Okay. I thought he just wasn't there.

This all makes a bit more sense now. Had to release him once he couldn't go at OTAs to get the cap space to sign another dude. Plus, they were going to have to restructure his contract to get cap compliant by the start of the regular season anyways. No way you restructure a guy who has a chronic ankle injury.

[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.

[Hawkman]

Foster is one of the greatest Steelers. Black and Gold. He called a lot of the OL play. Really smart player. He called all the signals on away games.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Have to watch around the 7:05 mark when talking about why DeCastro seemed to lose his edge and Munchak. "I mean no disrespect to any coaches......but Munch was stupendous. "

Then Foster goes on to mention how they all got Dave going and Munch was that last push guy to get him going. Its where you disrespect the guys that didnt recognize that there is a last push sometimes with DeCastro and others to get the most out of him. So much that Foster suggests that "Dave should have gone to Denver.".

Again, I am very enthusiastic about Klemm. I think its his room to set the tone and great teams need players to step up and be leaders. I think Klemm has his type of guys in the room in Kendrick Green, Dotson, Turner, Banner to step up and be leaders, while demanding more physicality out of Chuks in the run game and developing another OT like Big Dan Moore Jr behind the OT's.

New coach, new players, new attitude!

[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