Steelers surprisingly cut locker room presence Ryan Switzer

Ryan Switzer often caught the ire of Steelers fans, and he was cut loose on Saturday

Still, Switzer was a veteran locker room presence and a valued member of the wide receiving corps. Perhaps most importantly, he had the ear of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisbgerer, who would frequently look to him in important third-down situations. Switzer played a variety of special teams roles for Pittsburgh as well, but his time has run out in the Steel City as he’s fallen behind too many talented young thoroughbreds on the Steelers depth chart.

Switzer was originally selected out of North Carolina after terrorizing the Pitt Panthers repeatedly at Heinz Field — where the Steelers call home — in the return game and the slot. Unfortunately, he has not done the same in the pros.

Why did the Steelers release Ryan Switzer?

Where to begin? Without taking direct shots at Switzer, Pittsburgh’s receiving corps is one of the deepest in the NFL, even with Antonio Brown long gone. JuJu Smith-Schuster — with just one year left on his contract — remains the clear No.1. Diontae Johnson is one of the more intriguing rapid risers in the league. Chase Claypool was drafted in the second round just this past April, likely taking away Switzer’s spot as well. Even James Washington has a future in this league, despite his camaraderie with Mason Rudolph hasn’t translated to the next level.

Switzer doesn’t fit in with this group, to no fault of his own. He’s limited, and can potentially fill in as a special teams/slot man for a team in need. That team is just not the Steelers, and there’s no issue with that.