A lynchpin on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense over the past four seasons, it has long been expected that veteran safety Mike Mitchell would be a salary cap causality. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, that’s on the verge of happening.
Rap’s report was in response to a pretty cryptic tweet from none other than Mr. Mitchell himself.
It is what it is.
— Mike Mitchell (@iammikemitchell) March 9, 2018
Mitchell, 30, started all but four games during his four-year run with the Steelers. Last season saw him record 53 tackles and two passes defended in what was the worst performance of the veteran’s career.
Seen around league circles as a dirty player, Mitchell’s on-field actions likely had something to do with his release. Though, Pittsburgh also saves north of $5.5 million against the cap by releasing the nine-year vet.