Steelers Release Promising Outside Linebacker

Chris Ward |

Updated: Aug 27, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Kyron Johnson during a training camp practice on Aug. 6, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing outside linebacker Kyron Johnson, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Wilson notes that Johnson is expected to have interest from other NFL teams. The Steelers released 11 players on Monday as they cut down from 91 players to a 53-man roster by Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m.

Johnson received a 71.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus during the preseason. He played 129 snaps during the preseason, 47 of which came in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions.

Johnson showed promise, as he recorded six pressures in the preseason. It appears that the Steelers will go with Jeremiah Moon as their fourth outside linebacker instead, or they’ll just keep three OLBs. Hybrid defensive lineman/outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal could serve that role.

The Steelers signed Kyron Johnson to their practice squad on Oct. 9, 2023. This came after Johnson was released by the Philadelphia Eagles.

After being signed to the practice squad in October, Johnson was elevated to the team’s active roster on Dec. 22, 2023, and stayed there for the rest of the season. He appeared in six games for the Steelers, playing one defensive snap and 100 special teams snaps, but did not record any official stats.

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Kyron Johnson in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In 16 games as a rookie, Johnson played 265 special teams snaps and 18 defensive snaps for the Eagles. He recorded eight tackles in his first full season as a professional.

In 2023, the Eagles placed Johnson on their practice squad but then released him a month later.

Kyron Johnson decided to become a Jayhawk and committed to Kansas for his collegiate football. As a true freshman, Johnson appeared in 12 games as he played defense and special teams. In 12 games, he tallied 17 tackles, a forced fumble and contributed for a tackle for a loss.

In his five seasons at Kansas, Johnson played in 57 career games and started 39 of them. He totaled 191 combined tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles.