In a surprising move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran punter Cameron Johnston, handing the starting job to Corliss Waitman. The decision came before the 4:00 p.m. EST deadline for 53-man roster cuts, ending a tightly contested battle that lasted throughout the offseason.
The Punter Battle: A Statistical Breakdown
Preseason performances offered mixed signals. In the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Johnston punted twice for 94 yards, while Waitman had a single punt of 57 yards. The second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw Waitman gain an edge, averaging 58.0 yards on three punts compared to Johnston's 42.3-yard average on three punts.
The Final Impression
However, Waitman's final punt in the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers went for only 35 yards, raising doubts. Johnston's single punt in that game went for 33 yards, but from a less advantageous field position. Despite initial expectations that Johnston had secured the position, the Steelers opted for Waitman.
Johnston's Steelers Tenure Cut Short
Johnston, 33, signed a three-year deal with the Steelers in March 2024. He played in the first game of the 2024 season, averaging 51.5 yards on two punts before a season-ending knee injury sidelined him. He previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles (2018-2020) and the Houston Texans (2021-2023), boasting a career average of 47.3 yards per punt.
Waitman's Opportunity
Waitman joined the Steelers last September, filling in for Johnston after his injury. He averaged 46.6 yards per punt in 2024 and will now enter his third regular season with the team.