Full Breakdown
Steelers Cut Former First-Round Linebacker Jamin Davis Amid Final Roster Trim
8/30/2026, 3:49:28 AM
Core Event: Release of Jamin Davis
On August 29, 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers terminated the contract of veteran outside linebacker Jamin Davis, making him a free agent. The move was part of the team’s effort to reach the NFL-mandated 53-man roster before the Sunday 6 p.m. deadline.
Background & Context
Jamin Davis entered the league as the No. 19 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, selected by the Washington Commanders out of Kentucky. He spent his first three seasons in Washington, recording 101 tackles in 2022 and 89 tackles in 2023 before a season-ending shoulder injury landed him on injured reserve. After brief stints with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and a 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders (three tackles in two games), Davis signed with Pittsburgh following a mandatory minicamp tryout. The signing reunited him with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who had coached Davis in Las Vegas.
Timeline
- June 11, 2026 – Davis participated in an OTA practice with the Steelers.
Data & Statistics
- Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 234 lb.
- 2022 (Commanders): 101 tackles.
- 2023 (Commanders): 89 tackles in 13 games before shoulder injury.
- 2025 (Raiders): 3 tackles in 2 regular-season games (NBC Sports; Steelers Now).
- 2026 preseason with Steelers: 113 defensive snaps, 2.5 sacks in the opening game against the Green Bay Packers, and 30 special-teams snaps.
- Preseason opener: led the Steelers in tackles.
Official Statements & Responses
Steelers Depot clarified the contractual nuance, stating that because Davis is a vested veteran, the termination does not subject him to waivers. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the cuts in his standard transaction roundup.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Davis’s preseason impact. Steelernation reported that he “led the team in tackles” during the opener, while NBC Sports and Steelers Now noted that he was “practically invisible” in the final two preseason games. No source confirmed whether the Steelers will place Davis on the practice squad, leaving his immediate future uncertain.
Why It Matters / Impact
Pittsburgh’s linebacker corps is anchored by All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt and emerging talents Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Jack Sawyer, leaving limited room for additional outside linebackers. Davis’s release underscores the depth at the position and the difficulty of securing a roster spot without standout special-teams contributions. If the Steelers opt to retain him on the practice squad, he could provide experienced depth for Graham’s defense; otherwise, Davis joins a growing list of former first-round picks seeking new opportunities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jamin Davis is a vested veteran so this is a contract termination and he will not be subject to waivers,” — Steelers Depot — Steelers Depot
