The Steelers have granted Steven Nelson permission to seek a trade, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Nelson, 28, has been starting for the Steelers for the last two years. 
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Nelson isn’t a household name, but the advanced metrics have been fond of his work. Between the last two years combined, Pro Football Focus has him tied as the eleventh-best cornerback in the NFL. Meanwhile, the last year of his three-year, $22.5MM deal is set to count for $14.4MM on the Steelers’ cap. It stands to reason that Nelson would draw trade interest, given his reasonable his base salary of $8.25MM. Still, there are other quality cornerbacks available on the open market, including All-Pro Kyle Fuller.
After watching Mike Hilton leave for the Bengals, the Steelers re-upped corner Cameron Sutton on a two-year deal. Without Nelson, the Steelers’ CB group would be headlined Joe Haden, Sutton, and 2019 third-round pick Justin Layne, who hasn’t seen much playing time.
lol okay… is there something else going on…?! I get it Pittsburgh’s against the cap but I feel like a simple restructure could have done it versus looking to trade your best corner.
Nelson must not have wanted to restructure at all as that would have required an extension. Must have wanted the opportunity at FA next year or a trade with an big extension elsewhere. Now he will be either traded or cut in a cap move. This is why they could afford JuJu suddenly.
Well said. This is exactly what is going on.
Nelson was less than optimal when in Kansas City. He’s been better with the Steelers, but there has been inconsistency there. He may be most successful remaining in that Pittsburg system.
Wow. Younger than Haden. Don’t know about this one.
He asked for an extension and was told no. So he told them he wanted to be traded out.
This is why you don’t name your kids Grant.
Cowboys need to inquire