(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson, who was released as a cap casualty in March, reportedly has heard from 14 teams including the Texans, Bears, Eagles, Bengals and Bills, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Fowler mentions that Nelson is patiently waiting for the right fit and opportunity.
It sure would be something else if Nelson joined Mike Hilton in Cincinnati. Nelson would love the opportunity to play against the Steelers twice in 2021 after being released. If he joins the Bills, he would see the Steelers in Week 1. The Texans, Bears and Eagles are all in much need of help at the cornerback position, but Nelson might want to play for a contender.
Nelson was on SiriusXM NFL Radio last month and cleared up some of the matters regarding his release from the Steelers. Nelson said it was a trade or release situation and there was nothing else to it. The Steelers were up against the salary cap and saved $8.25 million in cap space by parting ways with Nelson.
"And I just want to make it very clear to those out there who might not know, or assuming that there was never a discussion with me being able to take a pay cut. I was never even given that opportunity to take a pay cut," Nelson said. "So it was either a trade or release."
Nelson also said he and his agent thought he outplayed his contract and was due for a contract extension, but the Steelers thought he was expendable during the prime of his career.
Nelson also sent a direct message to Dale Lolley last month denying a report that he didn't want to compete for a starting job with Cam Sutton and asked to be traded or released. Lolley wrote a story about what Nelson told him on DKPittsburghSports.
"They promised Cam, meaning they would let me go bc they can’t keep me at a high number nobody ever called me and told me that," Nelson told Lolley via direct message.
Nelson also said he wasn't running away from competition with Sutton.
"Why would the highest-paid corner ride the bench?" Nelson said in a DM.
"Believe me, that’s not what I was told so get your facts straight I’ve never ran from any comp and no knock on Cam but I’m the best, was best corner on that team. This is simply called a cap casualty situation."
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