The Steelers have released promising young tight end Rodney Williams as part of their final cuts, they announced on Tuesday.
Williams stayed on the Steelers practice squad all of last season. However, a strong training camp and preseason allowed Williams to make a legitimate roster push out of nowhere. The man known as “Hot Rod” demonstrated growth as a blocker and special teamer. His receiving skills were his known strength coming out of college at UT-Martin. Along with Zach Gentry, Williams should find his way back onto the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers. Pittsburgh’s initial tight end room on the 53-man roster will be Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward. With two punters on the squad, Gentry likely could swing back onto the roster. Williams seems destined for the practice squad. He felt his second year went smoothly and that the game felt slower.
“It’s much smoother [this year,]” said Williams. “I’m able to line up and play faster, able to execute so I think it is showing on the field as well. I’m able to make more plays now and hopefully that continues in camp and I am able to stay here another year.”
An outsider on the team’s practice squad as their fourth tight end a year ago, Williams caught 99 passes for 1217 yards while in college. He added seven touchdowns to his resume. His athleticism jumped off the page, testing absurdly at his pro day. He posted a 40.5-inch vertical with a 4.55 40-yard dash to wow the spectators. Williams initially signed with the Denver Broncos but was released in August 2022. He then joined the Steelers in September after a practice squad shuffle.
Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster is set for now. With the potential for trades and waiver claims, there should still be plenty of fireworks before the roster is set for good before Week 1.
More must-reads: