Steelers Release Two-Time Super Bowl Champion RB

Chris Ward |

Updated: Aug 27, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers running back La'Mical Perine during a preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released running back La’Mical Perine, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Perine’s release is not surprising, as he was buried on the depth chart behind Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. He also didn’t make much noise in the preseason, recording 16 carries for 46 yards and one touchdown while adding one catch on three targets for four yards.

The Steelers also released veteran running back Jonathan Ward, and hope to sign him to their practice squad, a league source told Steelers Now. The Steelers are also reportedly expected to sign former Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott to their practice squad, so it appears Perine will have to find a new club.

Perine was on the practice squad when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII at the end of the 2022. He re-signed with Kansas City for 2023, and was again on the practice squad before he was called up to the active roster on Dec. 24.

Perine played in three regular season and three postseason games for Kansas City, totaling 22 carries for 77 yards. He saw his most extensive playing time on Jan. 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, in a game that the Chiefs rested most of their starters.

In the playoffs last winter, Perine was active for the first three rounds, but played only on special teams. He was not dressed for Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII win over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chiefs released La’Mical Perine on May 17, before the start of OTAs. The Steelers signed him a week later on May 24.

Originally a fourth-round pick of the New York Jets out of Florida in 2020, Perine played 14 games over two seasons in New York, rushing 72 times for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He was cut by the Jets in 2022, and spent time on the practice squads of the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins before catching on in Kansas City.

At Florida, Perine rushed for 2,485 yards and 22 touchdowns over four seasons. He also caught 72 passes for 674 yards and another eight scores. His best statistical seasons came in 2018, when he had 996 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns, and 2019, when he had 938 yards from scrimmage and 11 scores.

Perine tested relatively poorly in the pre-draft process. He ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine, and posted a 4.31-second shuttle and a 7.13-second three-cone drill for a 5.28 Relative Athletic Score out of 10.