The Pittsburgh Steelers made a notable roster move less than 24 hours from their home matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon, as they parted ways with wide receiver Donte Moncrief. The veteran receiver signed with the Steelers in the off-season, as they were looking for more depth at that position after trading away Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders last March. By signing Moncrief in the off-season, the Steelers were losing a third-round draft pick for 2020, but since they released him before Week 10, they are expected to regain that pick.
The contract Moncrief signed was for two years and was worth $9 million, as they added him in March, right after the Brown deal. He was limited in training camp due to a dislocated finger, and never found his groove with his new team. Moncrief did have his opportunities, as he was targeted 10 times in the season opener against the New England Patriots, but had four drops in the loss. He played 90% of the offensive snaps for the Steelers that night, but was inactive in Weeks 3 and 5 for Pittsburgh.
After Week 1 he had just one more catch, which was an 11-yard reception on Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he finishes his time with the Steelers at four catches for 18 yards. In a matching roster move, the Steelers promoted practice squad running back Tony Brooks-James to take Moncrief's spot.
The contract Moncrief signed was for two years and was worth $9 million, as they added him in March, right after the Brown deal. He was limited in training camp due to a dislocated finger, and never found his groove with his new team. Moncrief did have his opportunities, as he was targeted 10 times in the season opener against the New England Patriots, but had four drops in the loss. He played 90% of the offensive snaps for the Steelers that night, but was inactive in Weeks 3 and 5 for Pittsburgh.
After Week 1 he had just one more catch, which was an 11-yard reception on Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers, and he finishes his time with the Steelers at four catches for 18 yards. In a matching roster move, the Steelers promoted practice squad running back Tony Brooks-James to take Moncrief's spot.
