The Pittsburgh Steelers will need to find a new return man for 2022. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud is signing with the San Francisco 49ers according to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler.
WR/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud is signing with the #49ers on a two-year deal, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 18, 2022
McCloud led NFL in punt return yards (367) and also caught 39 passes for the Steelers last year.
According to Fowler, the Steelers tried to keep McCloud, but he ultimately goes to the 49ers who 'made a stronger commitment'. Obviously it came down to money because San Francisco gave McCloud two years with incentives that could push the contract to $10.4 million total.
McCloud was the Steelers' return man for the last two seasons and emerged as a leading target for Ben Roethlisberger out of the slot last season.
McCloud made the team out of training camp in 2020 after having an impressive showing as a return man.
The Steelers likely will now be searching for a wide receiver early in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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