The Pittsburgh Steelers will be releasing veteran defensive end Aaron Smith, Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network reports. Smith turns 36 next month and has been limited to just 15 games over the last three seasons. 2011 was scheduled to be the final year of Smith's contract, but he agreed to a one-year extension to help the Steelers free up some cap space last October. By releasing Smith, the Steelers will save $2.109 million in cap space. Source: Mac's Football Blog
This needed to happen. Great career, not many people knew their role as a 3-4 defensive end as well as Smith.
One of the best 3-4 DE's and most underrated players in the game. Would love to see him hang around as some sort of coach.
Steelers certainly ain't playing around with their old guard. Chucking them onto the street quicker than a psycho ex-girlfriend.
I like it. Would've liked to see Hines "end" his career in Pittsburgh, but it's not the right choice. The right choice was to let him go. Casey Hampton should be next, but I doubt they do it. Hopefully they can restructure if they keep him around.