The Post-Gazette announced today that the Steelers have released running back Najeh Davenport, along with three other players to trim their roster to 82 players. They must cut two more by the start of training camp on July 27.
In all honesty, this was probably a good move. With the signing of Mewelde Moore from Minnesota and drafting Rashard Mendenhall (I’m still working on coming up with a good nickname for him), the Steelers were not going to keep 6-7 running backs. I’d like to see them re-sign Dan Kreider, but I don’t think Arians is going to go for that one. Najeh is still a relatively young player and this gives him the opportunity to sign elsewhere before training camp starts. I’m sure he’ll be able to work his way into a system that needs a 2nd running back.
Basically what this means is that the Steelers would rather keep Gary Russell around and try to develop him than keep Najeh. Logistically, Najeh probably commanded a higher salary than Russell because he has been in the league longer, so the move makes sense from a salary cap standpoint.
Players we like get cut every year. Last year it was Chukky Okobi (who probably would have been better than Mahan at center last year). Najeh is the first one to go this year, meaning we lost our best blocking back (because Kreider isn’t on the roster right now).
And for posterity, the Heinz Field High Jump one last time…
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