Corliss Waitman reportedly wins Steelers punting job for 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the process of cutting down their offseason roster to the required 53 players by 4 PM on Tuesday. While some cuts have been made official, it has been reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the Steelers are releasing punter Cam Johnston, leaving Corliss Waitman as the winner of the job.
Punter news: The #Steelers have released Cameron Johnston, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2025
Both Johnston and Waitman punted in some capacity for the Steelers during the 2024 season. After the Steelers signed Johnston to a three-year, $9 million contract, he was injured in the first game of the season and lost for the year. Corliss Waitman, who had punted in two games for the Steelers in 2021, was brought back to the team and punted the other 16 games of the season where he had a 46.4 yard average.
What was not known by many people at the time was the Steelers signed Waitman to a two-year deal in 2024, therefore he was still under contract with the Steelers for 2025. Having both players punting throughout the preseason, it was unclear exactly who would ultimately win the job for 2025.
There is some financial gain for the Steelers reportedly going with Corliss Waitman. The Steelers will save $2.5 million on the salary cap as Johnston was set to count $3,458,333 on this year’s salary cap according to overthecap.com. Because it is a post-June 1 cut, Johnston will count $958,333 in dead money both in 2025 and 2026. As for Waitman, he is under contract for a league minimum $1.1 million for this season.
The Steelers going with Waitman over Johnston is probably a little surprising to most fans. But with both players being quality punters, it seemed like the Steelers could not go wrong with either decision. Waitman is a left-footed punter which can be more desirable for some teams since the different rotation on the ball could slightly affect the ability to field the punt.
Stay tuned to SCN for continued coverage as the Steelers cut down their roster to 53 players, sign their practice squad, and prepare for the 2025 regular season.
I guess if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Hope the best for Johnston
Two talented players at a position where the Steelers usually struggle to find one. Nice problem to have.
Waitman is younger and cheaper. Not a brainscracher.
I’ll miss Australian Bill Burr. We hardly knew ya. I’m sure he will easily catch on elsewhere. GL SIR!