Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Trib will be running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, assessing each player’s outlook for the 2019 season. The breakdown will go through the roster in alphabetical order, (at least) two per day, between June 14 and July 26.
P JORDAN BERRY
Experience: 5th season
Contract status: $1.525 million cap hit in 2019, first season of 2-year extension signed in March
2019 outlook: Before Berry wrestled the Steelers’ punter (and, by extension, holder) job away from fellow Aussie Brad Wing during the 2015 training camp, he’s become the only man to keep the gig at least two consecutive full seasons in the Mike Tomlin era. But that doesn’t mean it’s been a stranglehold — Berry’s struggles early in his fourth NFL season (2018) compelled the Steelers to bring in punters for tryouts. That he kept the job and was signed to an extension in the offseason bodes well for Berry; that the Steelers made it a point to sign an undrafted free agent to compete with him does not. Still, he’s a heavy favorite to be the Steelers’ punter for a fifth season.
Kicker Chris Boswell and punter Jordan Berry each are entering their fifth season with the #Steelers but despite the financial outlays from the organization, neither is guaranteed a roster spot when the season opens Sept. 8 in New England.https://t.co/7arlAn2rkr
P IAN BERRYMAN
Experience: Undrafted rookie
Contract status: signed 3-year contract after draft; $495,666 cap hit in 2019
2019 outlook: Berryman was among the highest-rated draft-eligible punters, and the Steelers were quick to pounce after the draft ended to bring him in as a legitimate option to unseat Berry. During last training camp, Matt Wile dueled Berry to a virtual draw but the Steelers chose to stick with the familiarity of Berry. After picking up and concentrating on punting relatively late, Berryman believes his key to impress coaches is consistency.
PREVIOUS 2-A-DAYS
June 14: OLB Ola Adeniyi, CB Brian Allen
June 15: S Marcus Allen, DL Tyson Alualu
June 16: Dravon Askew-Henry, Zach Banner
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