Steelers to release former Pro Bowl receiver

No guarantees remained on the 10-year veteran’s deal, giving the Steelers $10M in cap space. Robinson’s stock has been trending downward since his 2021 franchise-tag season in Chicago, though he did hold an auxiliary role in Pittsburgh last season. The Steelers will only be on the hook for $1.9M in prorated signing bonus.

Robinson’s yardage output trailed his disappointing totals from 2021 and 2022; the ex-Jaguars draftee caught 34 passes for 280 yards and no touchdowns as a Steeler. The team has Diontae Johnson and George Pickens entrenched as starters, though it will be interesting to see how the team rounds out its receiving corps under Arthur Smith. Johnson and Pickens also trudged through inconsistent seasons. Pickens, however, caught fire late to help Pittsburgh back into the playoffs. Two years remain on the former second-rounder’s rookie contract, while Johnson is going into a walk year.

All the Rams could muster in a 2023 trade was a 17-spot trade-up in last year’s seventh round. The NFC West team also picked up some of the Robinson tab to entice the Steelers to take on the contract. The Rams had signed Robinson to a three-year, $46.5M deal in 2022, but the big-bodied receiver could not bounce back after showing concerning form on the tag with the Bears.

This marks a third notable Steelers cut in two days. The team released Keanu Neal on Thursday and moved on from Patrick Peterson earlier today. Between the moves, the team has picked up more than $18M in cap room.

Like Peterson, Robinson suited up for every Steelers game last year. But the three-time 1,000-yard receiver has lost much of the separation ability he once possessed. Serving as the Bears’ No. 1 wideout for three seasons, Robinson posted just 410 yards on the tag in 2021. He still did well to land the contract he did from the Rams, picking up significant guaranteed cash. The Bears were once rewarded for gambling on Robinson after a 2017 ACL tear and while he is only 30 despite having been in the NFL 10 seasons, the end of the line appears near for the Michigan product.