Reports: Safety Morgan Burnett Wants Out of Contract

Last off-season, the Pittsburgh Steelers scored what they believed to be a valuable starting safety with veteran experience in Morgan Burnett.

One year into his three year contract, Burnett wants out of his deal.

On Saturday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport spoke to Burnett, who wants to hit the open market with a “new start” and play as a regular safety again, after primarily being used in sub-packages.

Burnett played roughly 37% of plays during the 2018 season per Pro Football Reference. Through the sixteen game schedule, Burnett appeared in just 11 games thanks to injuries, a common theme throughout his career prior with the Green Bay Packers.

Steelers would save $3.63M in cap space by releasing Morgan Burnett and his $6.47M salary.
He was a part of the unit’s improvement down the stretch but too many nagging injuries.

— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) January 19, 2019

If the Steelers were to release Burnett, the most experienced safety on the roster would be Jordan Dangerfield (who entered the NFL in 2013 but has been off and on through practice squads), leaving another hole for the Steelers to fill in free agency for 2019.

The 30 year old safety accumulated 30 combined tackles with 6 passes defended last season.