Steelers Release David DeCastro, Sign Trai Turner

The Pittsburgh Steelers are making a big splash in the offseason with a series of coordinated moves to improve their line.

Their first move was releasing six-time Pro Bowl selection David DeCastro, likely due to the fact that he needs ankle surgery. DeCastro is unsure if he will even play professional football again, stating, “Gotta see how the surgery goes, but I’d have no problem calling it a day and moving on with my life.”

In accordance with this move, the Steelers then went and signed Trai Turner, a former Pro Bowl guard. The deal is inked for one year.

The Steelers releasing DeCastro opens up $8.75 million in cap space. Outside of a strictly financial lense, DeCastro was a critical cog in the Steelers’ success since 2012. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert stated: “He helped us win a lot of football games, but it was David’s consistency, reliability and professionalism that stood out more than anything else. We wish him the best moving forward in his career.”

Now that DeCastro is gone, Pittsburgh’s only returning starter at the guard position is Chukwuma Okorafor.

Turner will look to help a relatively inexperienced offensive line. Turner was a 2014 draft pick for the Panthers. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times in his first six seasons. In his 93 career games, he has started 89. His most recent stint was with the Chargers, where he missed significant action due to a groin injury that Turner claims has now healed.

Article by David Metzger