Pittsburgh Steelers: Team Releases Three Veterans, Clears More Cap Space

For the Pittsburgh Steelers to get under the salary cap this year, there needed to be a series of players both restructuring their contracts and being cut from the roster. On Thursday and Friday, the Steelers released three veteran players in order to free up more cash.

Defensive end Aaron Smith and offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu were told of their respective releases yesterday, while the team today informed linebacker James Farrior that he would not be returning.

Smith was the best 3-4 defensive end in Steelers history, but managed to play in just 15 games over the last three seasons with a myriad of injuries including a torn biceps, a torn triceps and, most recently, neck fusion surgery.

However, there is a chance that Smith could return to the Steelers at a reduced pay rate this summer if he proves healthy enough.

Kemoeatu found himself the odd man out on the offensive line after being demoted from his starting role in 2011. His inconsistent-at-best line play and multiple penalties, combined with a chronically hurting knee proved to be the tipping point for the Steelers.

With Farrior, it was a combination of age and his price tag that saw him out in Pittsburgh. Though he's consistently been the team's top tackler and has missed just six games since joining the Steelers in 2002, the team wants to both save money and add more youth to their roster.

Farrior's release gives the Steelers just over $2.8 million in cap space; the Kemoeatu and Smith terminations each free up about $2 million.

Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review points out that, in the past 26 days, the Steelers have restructured five contracts, resulting in $26 million in cap savings and cut another six players, freeing up another $14 million.

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