Releasing Joe Schobert Would Save Nearly $8 Million

The Pittsburgh Steelers have between $31 million, and $32 million in available salary cap heading into the off-season according to OvertheCap.com, and Spotrac.com. Now they could bolster that to nearly $40 million with the release of linebacker Joe Schobert. Releasing the veteran linebacker would save the Steelers $7,834,000.

Schobert was acquired last season in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Schobert had just signed a massive contract with the Jaguars in 2020 after having a solid tenure with the Cleveland Browns. Now it's easy to see why the Steelers traded Schobert.

These were his stats in 2020 with the Jaguars: 141 tackles, included 84 solo stops, two and a half sacks, six tackles for a loss, four pass defenses, and three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. He also had two forced fumbles. Those statistics warrant the large contract. Now this is what he did for the Steelers: 112 tackles, including 42 solo stops, one interception, 0 sacks, 0 touchdowns, one forced fumble, and two tackles for a loss.

There were far too many of these plays last season:

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And not enough of these plays that he used to do AGAINST the Steelers:

Schobert will cost the Steelers nearly $10 million dollars in 2022. The production just isn't there. Now we can't sit here and say that Schobert's troubles were all because of himself. He played beside a struggling Devin Bush, and a defensive front that was without Stephon Tuitt, and Tyson Alualu.

In an ideal world, the Steelers will be able to release Schobert and then sign him back on a better contract. He has a history of being effective. At the very least, the Steelers need to approach Schobert about taking a pay cut. They are going to need every dollar they can get to invest in the other holes that they have that need filled.

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