Steelers Waive Pine-Richland Alum, TE Kevin Rader

The Steelers have waived tight end Kevin Rader, the team announced on Saturday.

Rader, 25, signed with the Steelers on Jan. 9, 2019 and spent the last two training camps with the team. In 2019, he spent almost the entire season on the Steelers’ practice squad.

After graduating from Youngstown State in 2018, Rader originally signed as an undrafted rookie with the Green Bay Packers.

In 42 career games with the Penguins, Rader caught 41 passes for 601 yards and four touchdowns, including a dramatic grab in the 2017 FCS semifinal.

In training camp, he battled Zach Gentry for the Steelers’ third and final tight end spot, losing out to the 2019 draft pick for the second consecutive season.

Rader is the 19th player to be released by the Steelers since the end of training camp on Friday, joining cornerback Trajan Bandy, defensive end Henry Mondeaux, defensive tackle Cavon Walker, offensive lineman Anthony Coyle, Christian DiLauro, Derwin Gray, Jarron Jones and John Keenoy, outside linebacker Tuzar Skipper, punter Corliss Waitman, quarterback Paxton Lynch, running backs Trey Edmunds, Wendell Smallwood and Kerrith Whyte, Jr., tight end Kyle Markway,and wide receivers Deon Cain,  Saeed Blacknall, Ryan Switzer and DeAndre Thompkins.