By Patrick Gelesh
September 1, 2018
Landry Jones #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes against the Tennessee Titans during their preseason game on August 25, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to part ways with Landry Jones. We all knew something had to give with the quarterback group in Pittsburgh. Mason Rudolph is a rookie and a work in progress but showed potential at times. But Josh Dobbs was the most impressive non-starter to take the field for the Steelers this preseason and honestly can do things Landry Jones can’t. Like consistently throw the ball to the guys in black and gold, and using his feet to get out of the pocket and keep drives alive.
Last year in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles scrambled for 35 yards and multiple first downs against the Steelers defense. The game is changing, so having a quarterback that can turn broken plays into positive ones is a priceless commodity. The Steelers should know, that’s when Ben Roethlisberger is at his best; making plays happen. So, besides the obvious reason; that Dobbs out-played Jones this preseason. Why did this move make sense for the Steelers?
Even though there was some trade interest in Jones, cutting him was the right move. It all boils down to money. Jones was due $2.2 million this season, and cutting him only leaves the Steelers with a $300,000 dead money salary cap hit. In comparison, Josh Dobbs is making $704,781 this season and Mason Rudolph is making $713,066. Combined their salaries don’t equal what the Steelers were due to pay Landry Jones.
When you look at the big picture and realize Vance McDonald recently converted $2.91 million of his salary into bonuses to clear up an additional $2.18 million in cap space for the Steelers. Toss in the $1.9 million the Steelers just saved by cutting Jones, and that’s $4.0 million of newly acquired cap space the Steelers can use to pursue a player didn’t make the cut on from another team or to make a trade with.
Don’t be surprised if the Steelers have a trade in mind or a new free-agent in their crosshairs, the front office isn’t freeing up 2018 cap space just for fun. Look for the front office to be very active in the coming days.
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