The Steelers had to make some difficult decisions Tuesday afternoon when they cut the roster to 53 players. Overall, there weren't too many surprising moves besides keeping 8 defensive linemen. I was a little surprised and disappointed by a player who was cut just before the deadline, and that decision could end up being a big mistake for the Steelers' offense going forward.
The wide receiver room has been a big topic of discussion this offseason and the room doesn't exactly look like it's in a great spot following roster cuts. The Steelers only kept five receivers and none of them besides George Pickens have a super high ceiling as of now (Roman Wilson could get there).
The player I'm upset about losing fits that description as well, but there were other reasons I thought he should've made the roster.
Dez Fitzpatrick found himself on the outside looking in following roster cuts. Fitzpatrick flashed in the preseason, catching five balls for 130 yards, and had an overall good camp as well. He contributed as a gunner on special teams and showed some big play potential. I understand why the 5 receivers who made the roster made it, but I think Fitzpatrick should've gotten a chance to contribute.
His special teams value alone should've given him the edge for a roster spot. Fitzpatrick showed more big-play potential than Scotty Miller and is a better overall receiver. With the current receiver room, the Steelers need as much ceiling as they can get and I like Fitzpatrick's ceiling more than Miller's.
Keeping Fitzpatrick isn't the difference between winning a Super Bowl or not, but I think he would have provided something different to this offense.
The debate about this highlights a larger issue with the Steelers' 2024 offseason: a complete lack of care for the wide receiver room.
Since trading Diontae Johnson, Omar Khan and the Steelers have completely failed to properly address that hole. Scotty Miller and Van Jefferson aren't good enough to be starters and contributors on a team that wants to compete.
Unless a last-minute Brandon Aiyuk trade comes through, the Steelers are going to enter 2024 with a below-average wide receiver room and even more quarterback questions. Keeping Fitzpatrick wouldn't have answered all those questions, but it would have provided some hope for explosive plays in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers better hope Khan can pull off a miracle or this room could ruin any chances for a special Steelers season.
