Philadelphia Eagles Sign Former Steelers CB Steven Nelson
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson to a one-year contract, the team announced on Sunday.
Nelson’s one-year deal is worth $4 million, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
The Steelers released Nelson on March 23, in a move that general manager Kevin Colbert has characterized as essential for the team’s continued cap compliance.
The 28-year-old spent two seasons in Pittsburgh as the team’s starting right cornerback after coming over form Kansas City in free agency.
The Steelers attempted to trade Nelson and gave him permission to seek a trade, but after being unable to do so, he asked for and received his release.
“Pittsburgh, much love,” Nelson wrote on Twitter at the time. “I appreciate the opportunity and the relationships I gained along the way. Respect to a Class A organization from top down.”
Nelson said during his time without a team that over a dozen NFL squads had reached out to him. The Eagles had been one of the teams most-connected to Nelson, though some — including NFL insider John Clayton — thought it was possible that Nelson might return to the Steelers as late as last week.
The Steelers saved $8.25 million from their 2021 salary cap obligations by releasing Nelson, but absorbed a $6.17 million dead money cap hit.
Former Dime corner Cameron Sutton has replaced Nelson as the right outside cornerback.
The Eagles will report to training camp on July 27.