The Steelers have converted $8.26MM of linebacker Ryan Shazier’s 2018 base salary into a signing bonus, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move will have no cap implications for the Steelers, but it will allow Shazier to collect on the bulk of his pay for the 2018 season immediately rather than wait for it in increments throughout the year. 
The Steelers placed Shazier on the PUP list on Wednesday, which officially rules him out for the 2018 season. Shazier’s contract expires after the year is through, but that’s the furthest thing from his mind as he works to recover from the spinal injury he suffered last year.
When Shazier was carted off of the field in December, doctors feared that he might never walk again. After months of grueling rehab, Shazier is now able to walk with some assistance. Someday, the linebacker hopes to return to the field.
“There is no ceiling in Ryan’s recovery. He aggressively approaches it every day,” Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said in March. “We support him in every way possible in that endeavor. Where that leads, only he will know and he will determine further down the road. His approach, his mental approach. I can’t tell you how impressive an inspiration he is to us.”
In addition to the $8.26MM signing bonus, Shazier will also earn roughly $700K in salary throughout the season.
Kudos to the Steelers for this.
Amazing honestly nothing but respect to for the Steelers after doing this
Classy move by the classiest NFL team.
And some of the dirtiest players on the field
Very classy. Cudos to the Steelers!
Class is a understatement what a fantastic move by a great organization
Way to go Steelers! That will be good Karma coming back ! Get well soon Ryan!
Bad a$$ props to the Steelers!!
Huge Patriots fan here, yes I’m from New England. But, very classy move Pittsburgh.
Class seems to be the operative word for this story so I’ll go ahead and use it too. Really classy move by the Steelers. Respect!
A Bengals fan, and a Ohio State fan, hate the Steelers but that is the classiest move I’ve seen in a long time. Good on them
I want to be the first and say classy
Awesome move by the Steelers
May I just say, this is one ……Classy move.
But seriously, not very many , if any organizations would do this. Major kudos Pittsburgh!
I guess since no one here is giving credit where it’s due, I’ll do the honors… classy move by the steelers. Kudos to the entire organization
My owner probably would have cut him for not standing during an anthem… Jerry. Good job by the Steelers.