Morgan Burnett

[feltdizz]

So, we needed a FS but instead of signing one, we signed a SS for starter money when we just used a 2nd round pick on Davis.

That means that Davis will likely be moved to FS. We are banking on our FS situation improving on a guy that has never played the position in the NFL and had a less than stellar year last year.

FA signing rating: A++++

hi hater lol...

[Steel Maniac]

So, we needed a FS but instead of signing one, we signed a SS for starter money when we just used a 2nd round pick on Davis.

That means that Davis will likely be moved to FS. We are banking on our FS situation improving on a guy that has never played the position in the NFL and had a less than stellar year last year.

FA signing rating: A++++

Yeah...I thought about this too and I came to the conclusion that they see Davis in practice; we don't. So they must know something about him to feel confident that he can make the switch. It's not unheard of but it is a point of concern.

[Slapstick]

Eh, Davis wasn't awesome at Strong Safety last year...perhaps a switch to Free Safety is better suited to his abilities...he can't be less impactful than Mitchell was...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Morgan Burnett (Steelers) $14.35M, $4.25M signing bonus, salaries $1M, $5M, $4M; $50K workout bonus 2019-2020

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 23, 2018

[RuthlessBurgher]

With a signing bonus proration of just over $1.4M for each of the 3 years, based on those base salary and workout bonus numbers, that would give Burnett a cap hit just over $2.4M in 2018, a cap hit of just under $6.5M in 2019, and a cap hit of just under $5.5M in 2020.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Financial details of Morgan Burnett’s contract with the Steelers released

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office should be commended for their work with these free agent contracts.

By Flipsteeler
Mar 23, 2018, 2:29pm EDT

Ex-Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 20 and financial details are finally out. The three-year contract has a rather large signing bonus compared to the overall value of the contract. The $4.25 million signing bonus comes along with base salaries of $1 million in 2018, $5 million in 2019 and $4 million in 2020.

The eight-year veteran will carry a team friendly cap hit of $2.4 million in 2018. The cap hits do escalate to $6.4 million in 2019 and $5.4 million in 2020.

These figures are all courtesy of Ian Whetstone.

The three-year contract signed by new Steelers safety Morgan Burnett appears to include a signing bonus of $4.25 million and salaries of $1 million in 2018, $5 million in 2019, and $4 million in 2020. The salary cap hit for 2018 is $2,416,666.

— Ian Whetstone (@IanWhetstone) March 23, 2018

Burnett should be one of Pittsburgh’s starting safeties with this deal, but other questions remain. Will the Steelers still retain J.J. Wilcox and his $3.8 million cap hit? Or save the team $3.1 million and find another steal in a sluggish safety market? Does Burnett play free safety or strong safety? These questions have been on the minds of Steeler Nation since reports of his signing started to emerge.

Pittsburgh is currently sitting on $3,406,080 in cap space, according to NFLPA and confirmed by Ian Whetstone. When the Burnett contract is figured in, the Steelers will be left with $2 million. Daniel McCullers (Unknown contract details), seven rookies, 52nd and 53rd players, and the ten-man practice squad, still puts the black-and-gold over the NFL’s current salary cap.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2018/3/23/17155314/financial-details-of-morgan-burnetts-contract-with-the-steelers-released-news-free-agency-nfl

[RuthlessBurgher]

Pro Football Focus shines light on how Morgan Burnett can help the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers got more than just experience when they signed Morgan Burnett.

By Jeff Hartman
Apr 2, 2018, 3:15pm EDT

If you are like me, you don’t know a ton about players who don’t wear the black-and-gold for the Pittsburgh Steelers every week.

Sure, I keep up with the NFL, especially the AFC North, but the hyper focus on the Steelers leaves me with a type of blinders on when it comes to the rest of the league — especially when talking about the NFC.

When the Steelers signed Morgan Burnett in free agency, I had heard of him but wasn’t schooled on just what he brings to the team. For all I knew, he could have been a rangy playmaking safety, but in reality he is a veteran leader who is known for his tackling.

The fine folks at Pro Football Focus (PFF) outlined some key stats for every team’s best free agent pick up, and Burnett’s statistic was extremely telling:

S Morgan Burnett

2017 Grade: 77.2

One of the best box safeties in the league, Burnett played 83.1 percent of his run-defense snaps within eight yards of the line of scrimmage last year and racked up 10 run stops as a result. Since 2012, Burnett has now racked up a whopping 93 run stops when lined up in the box, which is tied with Kam Chancellor for the most among safeties in that span.

Whenever a player is compared to Kam Chancellor, it is never a bad thing. Chancellor has long been considered one of the best safeties in the league, and Burnett being mentioned statistically with Chancellor should tell Steelers fans plenty about their newest addition to the back half of the defense.

It should be noted both Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin both spoke at the NFL Owners Meetings about Burnett, and both men said the role for Burnett is far from set in stone as of now. While the Packers might have used Burnett as a pure box safety, the Steelers may have other plans for the veteran safety, and a lot of this might have to do with the team’s plans for the 2018 NFL Draft.

Nonetheless, if you are a fan who wanted a safety who can load the box and tackle...Burnett is your man.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2018/4/2/17185102/pro-football-focus-shines-light-on-how-morgan-burnett-can-help-the-steelers-free-agent-nfl-news

[Steel Maniac]

Thanks Ruth...

[Buzz]

We still need to acquire a FS. Maybe Davis can handle that role, but for what we've seen thus far, I would not be confident going into the season with him as our main option at the position. It would be great if we could draft someone like Justin Reid or Jessie Bates.

[Steel Maniac]

This is one year where I really wish we had another first round pick or another second round pick.

[Buzz]

This is one year where I really wish we had another first round pick or another second round pick.

Or even a 4th round pick.

[pittpete]

That article screams strong safety......

[squidkid]

This is one year where I really wish we had another first round pick or another second round pick.

we got bell. we dont need any more draft picks

[RuthlessBurgher]

Morgan Burnett admires Steelers’ locker room bond, getting comfortable in new surroundings

The newly acquired free agent safety, Morgan Burnett, is starting to get comfortable in the Steel City.

By Jeff Hartman
Jun 24, 2018, 1:27pm EDT

Players who come to Pittsburgh to play for the Steelers often say there is something different about the organization and fan base. As fans of the Steelers, we don’t know any different. All we know is the continuity and winning culture which started back in the 70s with Chuck Noll taking over.

However, it is always interesting to hear this from players, especially veterans, who have played for other teams throughout their career. In the case of Morgan Burnett, who played his entire career up until this point with the Green Bay Packers, his comments regarding the Steelers’ locker room bond and team are worth noting.

“It’s fun,” Burnett told Teresa Varley of the Steelers official website. “You can tell how they compete. They have a tight bond. You enjoy it. When you go out on the field you are competing at a high level. Guys are working hard and holding each other accountable. That is what I respect about this team.”

Burnett was accustomed to going against the likes of Aaron Rodgers and company, but going against the Steelers’ offense is a whole new level for him.

“You are talking about going against some of the best in the league, the best in the league,” said Burnett. “You are going against that every day, every week. You know you are going to be prepared when it comes to game day situations or whatever situations you are in on game day.”

Comparisons aside, Burnett is just excited to be in Pittsburgh, but might be more excited to put the shoulder pads on and start hitting. After all, it is what he is paid to do.

“You need to get outside more, especially at my position get out on the field,” said Burnett. “Train with weighted vests so you get used to when you come back with helmets and shoulder pads on. Get outside and keep working on my craft with my defensive back techniques.

“(When you get to camp), now you are playing football. Right now it’s conditioning, getting in position, getting your feet under you. When you come back it’s really football. It’s a contact sport, showing your physicality, being where you need to be. It’s game like situations you are going through in training camp. That is when football really starts. I am definitely looking forward to it. It should be fun.”

But what about the Steelers’ defensive scheme? How has the transition been for the veteran safety? Not too bad...

“I am comfortable with it,” said Burnett. “It’s a similar scheme to what I was running my eight years in Green Bay. It’s familiar. Now it’s just learning the terminology, putting it together. And getting used to working with my teammates.”

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the safety position heading into 2018. No one really knows what will take place at the position, but if you are a bettor, you could put some safe money down on Burnett being on the field when the real games start taking place. His versatility, and experience, are exactly what the team needs at the position.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/6/24/17498608/morgan-burnett-admires-steelers-locker-room-bond-getting-comfortable-in-new-surroundings-news

[RuthlessBurgher]

If the Steelers want improved tackling at the safety position, Morgan Burnett is their man

The Pittsburgh Steelers need better tacklers, and Morgan Burnett is just the man for the job in the defensive secondary.

By Jeff Hartman
Jun 26, 2018, 11:12am EDT

There aren’t many fond memories of Mike Mitchell as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I recall a really nice hit he made against Marvin Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals a few years back, but other than that, the majority of memories all swirl around him running his mouth, missing tackles and being out of position.

Not all of these mishaps were solely on Mitchell’s shoulders, but with him gone, plus a few others, the Steelers' coaching staff has made it a point to let the public know tackling will be emphasized this year.

If that's truly the case, one player might not need as much work as the rest. That would be none other than free-agent acquisition Morgan Burnett. According to ProFootballFocus (PFF), Burnett was the best in the business at doing just that.


#Steelers S Morgan Burnett recorded the highest combined tackling efficiency of any NFL safety last season. #SteelerSpotlight

For full access to all of PFF's signature stats: https://t.co/VKuRjQDRTF
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) June 22, 2018


Burnett loves to play inside the box, and his skill set will be a welcome addition to the Steelers’ defense. Last year, both Sean Davis and Mike Mitchell missed their fair share of tackles, and neither of them ever was the type of player who, when approaching a ball carrier, you had confidence they'd be bringing him to the ground.

What Burnett brings is something completely different. He's versatile enough to play either Free or Strong Safety, can play in the box, can cover and what he loves doing the most just might be tackling.

A defense doesn’t want to see their safeties piling up tackles, because that likely means the front seven of the defense didn’t do their jobs. But with the Steelers playing heavy sub package football nowadays, Burnett will often find himself standing where linebackers normally do, and a large reason why is his ability to tackle the ball carrier.

If the Steelers’ main interest this offseason was to improve tackling, by adding Burnett and releasing Mitchell they've already improved tremendously.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/6/26/17496068/if-the-steelers-want-improved-tackling-at-the-safety-position-morgan-burnett-is-their-man-pff-news