Last season was a nightmare for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt. A combination of a knee injury as well as the loss of his brother cost Tuitt the entire season and now leaves his future in jeopardy. Steelers president Art Rooney II has said the team will leave the door open for Tuitt’s return, which sounds a lot like they don’t expect him to come back.
Either way, Pittsburgh needs to work with Tuitt and help him understand the team needs an answer sooner rather than later. Free agency starts in just a few weeks and the draft is right behind it. The defensive line becomes a huge need if Tuitt cannot return but he can’t let the team sit and wonder into the Summer.
This doesn’t mean the team has to act on his decision then. Quite the opposite actually. From a financial standpoint, the Steelers are better off releasing Tuitt or him choosing to retire after June 1. If this happens, Pittsburgh will save $9.05 million in cap space while putting $4.925 in dead money on the books. A move prior to June 1 reverses those numbers.
Let us know in the comments if you think Tuitt will be back for 2022 or will the combination of events from last season pushes the 29-year old star into early retirement.
