Steelers release veteran TE Spaeth
After signing two veteran tight ends in free agency during the offseason, the Steelers had something of a log jam at the position despite the retirement of long-time starter Heath Miller in February.
The log jam was eased on Thursday as the Steelers released veteran Matt Spaeth, citing a chronic knee injury that had required multiple surgeries, including one this offseason. The release saves the Steelers $475,000 in salary cap space.
“Matt never fully recovered from knee surgery that occurred this past offseason, and he will not be ready to return to football activities at this time,” said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. “Matt played an integral role in our Super Bowl XLIII Championship run, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
The release of Spaeth leaves the Steelers with just five players – linebackers James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, long snapper Greg Warren and cornerback William Gay – remaining from the team’s most recent Super Bowl win in 2008.
A third-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2007, Spaeth played in 123 career games, including 92 with the Steelers. He was a member of the team’s Super Bowl XLIII championship team and the team that lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl after the 2010 season.
Spaeth signed as a free agent with Chicago after the 2010 season, rejoining the Steelers in 2013.
One of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, Spaeth has 55 career receptions for 420 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“I am so grateful for my time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the greatest franchise in football,” Spaeth wrote in a statement. “I would like to thank the Rooneys, Coach Tomlin and Kevin Colbert for giving me the opportunity to play professional football. I also want to thank the coaching staff, my teammates and the best fans in the NFL, Steelers Nation. It was truly an honor to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers!”
The release of Spaeth, a 10-year veteran, leaves the Steelers with free agent signings Ladarius Green and David Johnson, second-year player Jesse James, Xavier Grimble, who spent last season on their practice squad, and rookie Paul Lang at the tight end position as the team prepares to report to training camp at Saint Vincent College next Thursday. The Steelers also signed rookie Mandel Dixon, who was with the Cowboys this offseason, on Thursday to replace Spaeth on the roster.
Green was signed to a 4-year, $20-million contract in the offseason but missed all of the team’s offseason workouts as he recovered from ankle surgery. The release of Spaeth shows the Steelers are confident Green will be ready to return to action as soon as next week.
“I am excited once he gets on the field and I can see what he can do,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “He’s like the brand new Ferrari that I have that’s in the impound lot, and we are just looking through the fence at it. he’s been communicating a lot, talking, very into everything from a mental side. We are excited about what he can bring when he gets on the field.”
Johnson, meanwhile, like Spaeth was originally a draft pick of the Steelers in 2009 before signing as a free agent with San Diego in 2014. He has appeared in 82 career games, including 52 with Pittsburgh, catching 24 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown.