The Steelers have released veteran wide receiver Lance Moore today. Moore signed a 2 year, $3 Mil deal with the team last March, but asked for his release last month. When all the signs point to your release, it looks better if it was at your request.
By releasing Moore, the Steelers save $1.5 Mil in cap space for 2015. The release also carries a dead money hit of $322,500.
WR Lance Moore is asking the Steelers to release him from his contract according to Adam Schefter.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/562205466508668928
Moore was signed to a two year deal last March. The contract was worth $3 Mil, and included a $645,000 guaranteed signing bonus. If the team does release Moore, which is likely to happen, the move would clear $1.5 Mil in cap space, and will bring $322.5 K in dead money.
The Steelers barely used Moore in 2014. He started the season with groin issues, and the Steelers reportedly liked Justin Brown better early on. Moore saw 264 snaps on offense last year, across the 14 games he was active for.
It seems like more than just 2 seasons ago when Moore had a 1,000+ yard season. He finished the 2014 season with just 198 yards and 2 touchdowns. Last month Moore said, “I just want to play whether that’s here or somewhere else. I’d love to be here, I’d love to be a part of this offense but I think those are decisions that have to be made down the line.”
There is some good news on the injury front as WR Lance Moore has returned to full practice participation. “I feel better than I have in weeks, it’s encouraging and exciting,” said Moore via Steelers.com. Moore added that he’s not out of the woods yet. “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. I have a long week of practice coming up and I am just trying to feel better and better during the week and go from there.”
The Steelers are waiting to see how Moore responds after a full practice, but the writing on the wall right now indicates he’ll be playing Sunday. The only two players Coach Tomlin mentioned as limited during his press conference today are NT Steve McLendon (shoulder) and RB/WR Dri Archer (ankle). McLendon participated in individual drills yesterday and was replaced by Cam Thomas during practice. “That was just today. I’ll be back to practice on Wednesday,” McLendon told reporters.
The Steelers have released their end of week injury report and, with the exception of Lance Moore, things look pretty good. Here’s the injury report:
OUT: CB Brice McCain (groin), WR Lance Moore (groin)
DOUBTFUL: WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: OL Cody Wallace (finger)
PROBABLE: Matt Spaeth (hammstring), Sean Spence (knee), Greg Warren (knee)
With Lance Moore out, expect to see Justin Brown get some snaps in the slot.
The Steelers have concluded practices for today and here’s the injury report.
Did Not Practice: WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder), CB Brice McCain (groin), WR Lance Moore (groin), OL Cody Wallace (finger)
Full: TE Matt Spaeth (hamstring), LB Sean Spence (knee), LS Greg Warren (knee)
The biggest concern on the DNP list is Lance Moore. With Moore out, expect to see Justin Brown getting time in the slot. Brown played slot at Penn State before he transferred to Oklahoma State, where he was moved outside.
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has returned to practice today for the first time since sustaining a concussion on July 31st. LB Ryan Shazier is still sidelined with his knee “boo boo” as Tomlin called it.
OG Ramon Foster and WR Lance Moore are getting maintenance days today. NT Steve McLendon is still out with his concussion and LB Jarvis Jones is out again due to his groin injury. Hopefully Coach Tomlin will shed more light on a couple absences later today.
Lance Moore has officially signed his two year deal, according to Steelers PR man Burt Lauten.
.@steelers WR Lance Moore has officially signed his two-year contract.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) March 25, 2014
Moore’s two year contract has a total value of $3 Mil. The deal includes a $645,000 guaranteed signing bonus, with no other guarantees. His contract with the Saints that was voided called for $3.8 Mil in cash in 2014.
Here is a breakdown of his contract.
[table]
Player, Year, Base Salary, Signing Bonus, Salary Cap Number
“Moore, Lance”, 2014, “$855,000 “, “$322,500”, “$1,177,500”
“Moore, Lance”, 2015, “$1,500,000”, “$322,500”, “$1,822,500”
[/table]
As you might expect, the contract is a very terminable one if the need should arise after this season.
The Steelers have announced that they have agreed to terms with former Saints wide receiver Lance Moore. This is a good addition to a depleted wide receiver corps.
We have agreed to terms with wide receiver Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16) on a two-year contract.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 21, 2014
Excited to be a part of #steelernation Couldn't ask for a better organization to continue my career with!
— Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16) March 21, 2014
Moore is coming off a down year, but has been very productive in the past. 2012 was a huge year for him, where he averaged 16 YPC. Various factors led to his drop in production in 2013 including a nagging wrist injury and being behind names like Colston, Sproles, and Jimmy Graham on the roster. I think Steelers fans will be happy about this signing in the fall.
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Maurice Jones-Drew and Lance Moore had visits with the Steelers today. According to Ed Bouchette, both free agents left without contracts.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Jones-Drew is said to be taking his time and shopping for the right team, and the Steelers don’t really have the available cap space to sign him at the moment. The same could really be said for Moore. He doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to sign, and other teams have expressed interest. He also recently visited with the New England Patriots.
Right now, the Steelers are sitting just above $2 Mil in cap space. With the lack of depth at wide receiver, defensive line, and running back, it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to think that they will be looking to make a move in the near future, to clear additional cap space to make some signings.
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The Steelers will host veteran wide receiver Lance Moore for a visit on Tuesday according to Jason La Canfora.
Steelers are bringing in WR Lance Moore for a visit on Tuesday. RB James Starks visits there midweek
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 16, 2014
Moore was a cap release by the Saints on March 7th. Cutting him saved the team over $2.5 Mil. They currently have less cap room than the Steelers do.
The 30 year old receiver is going into his 9th season, and coming off of a down year. Moore is 5’9″, 177 lbs, has very good hands, and is a superb route runner. He’s not a 6’4″ redzone threat, but he’s a chain mover and a play maker. In 2012 Moore had 6 touchdowns and totaled 1041 yards. He saw approximately 40 less throws come his way in 2013.
The Steelers are still hoping to sign Jerricho Cotchery according to reports. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to share with your friends.