Steelers release RT Zach Banner; QB Dwayne Haskins signs contract tender

On the first day free agency officially opened in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced quarterback Dwayne Haskins signed his $2.54 million restricted free agent tender.

Moves that were agreed upon in the two-day legal tampering period can become official after 4 p.m.

The Steelers also terminated the contract of right tackle Zach Banner, making him a free agent and saving the organization his $5 million salary.

Haskins, the former first-round pick of Washington in 2019, is coming off his first season with the Steelers after signing a contract with them in January 2021. Haskins didn’t see any action as the No. 3 quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph.

Despite Roethlisberger’s retirement, Haskins could still be third on the depth chart after the Steelers agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free agent quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

Haskins was taken with the No. 15 overall pick in 2019 and went 3-10 as a starter in two seasons in Washington. He completed 60.1% of his passes for 2,804 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Banner, 28, spent the past four seasons with the Steelers and was the starting right guard heading into 2020. He tore his ACL in the fourth quarter of the season opener, and the injury lingered into 2021, limiting him to one start.

Banner appeared in 22 games with the Steelers. He was scheduled to count $6.625 million against the salary cap. The Steelers are on the hook for $1.625 million in dead money against the cap.

In addition to Trubisky, the Steelers agreed to terms with three outside free agents: guard James Daniels, center/guard Mason Cole and cornerback Levi Wallace.

The Steelers already announced tackle Chuks Okorafor, safety Miles Killebrew and cornerback Arthur Maulet signed contracts, avoiding free agency. Nose tackle Montravius Adams also agreed to a two-year deal.