Keanu Neal‘s debut Steelers season was cut short due to injury, and his time in Pittsburgh has now come to an end. The veteran safety has been released with a failed physical designation, per a team announcement.
Neal joined the team on a two-year deal last March, and he represented a potential Terrell Edmunds replacement. Indeed, the 28-year-old started eight of his nine appearances in Pittsburgh, recording 50 tackles and one interception. Neal suffered a rib injury in November, however, and he was placed on IR as a result.
The journeyman never came back to the Steelers’ lineup, and he will now hit the market once again. Pittsburgh will gain $2.25M in cap space with today’s move while incurring a dead money charge of $460K. After playing on four different teams in as many years, meanwhile, Neal will aim to find another new opportunity while continuing to recover.
Pittsburgh has All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick in place as a starter at the safety spot, and Damontae Kazee – who logged nine starts last season – is on the books for one more year. That pair could see considerable playing time in 2024, but the team could also be involved in the safety market during free agency. A bevy of high-profile players at the position have become cap casualties recently, meaning the Steelers will have a number of options to choose from.
Neal has never landed a contract averaging more than $4M per season, and the 2024 safety market is shaping up as one in which few producers at the position will likely secure a lucrative investment. The former first-rounder has bounced around with the Falcons, Cowboys and Buccaneers in addition to his brief Steelers tenure. Neal has seen mixed results in terms of PFF evaluation over the years, and 2023 produced only a 59.6 overall grade. Between that showing, his health status and the list of safeties also on the market, he could be hard-pressed to land another multi-year contract in 2024.
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