Steelers Safety Morgan Burnett Wants Out of Contract

The Pittsburgh Steelers big signing for 2018 in the free agent market says a single season in Pittsburgh was enough for him, as Morgan Burnett, a nine-year veteran safety said he would like a release from his contract.

On Saturday, Burnett told the NFL Network that a release would give him the opportunity to return to play safety, his natural position, rather than dime linebacker that he player this past season in Pittsburgh.

Burnett was injured to start the season and missed four of the team’s first six games and the Steelers played Terrell Edmunds, a rookie, at safety in his absence and when he returned.

Burnett made 30 tackles and six deflections of passes over 11 games in his reduced role, while Edmunds and Sean Davis were the two starting safeties all season for the Steelers.

A source close to the Steelers said that Burnett had not made an official request to be released and was not sure if the team would be willing to honor such a request if Burnett made it.

Burnett, who is 30, was signed by the Steelers to a three-year contract worth $14.25 million that included a signing bonus of $4.25 million.

If the Steelers were to release Burnett, the team would save $2.16 million toward its salary cap.

Prior to becoming a free agent last year, Burnett played with the Green Bay Packers for eight seasons.