Elandon Roberts was flat out *shocked* by the Steelers’ decision to cut him on roster cutdown day, and honestly, can you blame him? This wasn’t some quiet move; it was one of the most unexpected decisions the team made, especially after he just signed in mid-August.
McCarthy Details Special Teams Focus in Roster Cuts
Head coach Mike McCarthy laid out the team’s reasoning on Tuesday, pointing directly to special teams ability as a massive factor in those final roster spots. Look, Roberts didn’t see much action there over the summer, despite getting a ton of reps in preseason. McCarthy still called Roberts an “outstanding player,” confirming he was “up to his reputation” even after joining the squad late. The coach said he “enjoyed him while he was here” and wished him the best. But when you get past the starting 11 or 12 guys on offense and defense, special teams is usually a huge part of the puzzle. It stings, but that’s the hard truth of this league.
Khan Leaves the Door Open for a Reunion
But here’s the kicker: after being released, Roberts wasn’t even signed to the initial practice squad, and there was zero handshake agreement to bring him back, according to Dejan Kovacevic of DK Pittsburgh Sports. That’s a gut punch. Yet, General Manager Omar Khan wasn’t “closing the door” on a reunion. Khan told the media on Monday he’s got “a lot of respect for E-Rob,” acknowledging their “history with him” and how he’s “done a good job.” The GM even said he “love[s] the player and love[s] the person.”
So, what does this all mean? Roberts, a fan-favorite run stuffer, is out right now, but the door isn’t slammed shut. Khan’s comments are definitely something to chew on. Could we actually see E-Rob back in black and gold at some point down the line? It feels like the story isn’t quite over for this guy just yet.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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