Steelers cut QB Stewart loose to get under salary cap
PITTSBURGH -- Kordell Stewart has known for months he wouldn't return to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003. The only question was which team would give him the chance to be an NFL starter again.
He is about to find out.
The Steelers officially cut ties Wednesday to one of the most enigmatic players in their history, releasing the multitalented quarterback who led them to two AFC championship games, but perplexed them with his inconsistency.
Stewart has awaited the move since losing his job to Tommy Maddox early last season. Now an unrestricted free agent, he has suggested that money won't be as big a factor in his decision as playing time.
"I'm a starter in this league, and I want to be a starter again," Stewart said.
Stewart recently mentioned Miami as a possibility, though he would have to beat out Jay Fiedler. Other possibilities include the Cardinals, Bears, Ravens, Panthers and Saints.
Interestingly, another team looking for a quarterback is his old team. The Steelers want to retain reserve Charlie Batch, but the former Lions starter also wants a chance to play -- something he probably wouldn't get as Maddox's backup.
By waiving Stewart, the Steelers cleared $6.3 million of cap room -- Stewart's 2003 salary. He will count $1.62 million against the cap, the prorated share of the $8.1 million signing bonus he got in 1999. They were about $2 million over the cap before cutting Stewart.
"In order for us to comply with the salary cap, we are forced to make some very difficult decisions," coach Bill Cowher said. "He was a terrific player for us and always handled himself as a consummate professional."
Stewart's last two seasons reflected his eight years in Pittsburgh -- brilliant one moment, bafflingly bad the next.
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| Kordell Stewart's up and down tenure in Pittsburgh ends with a cut. (AP) |
He insisted the poor performance didn't affect his confidence, but he looked unprepared and off his game as the Steelers were manhandled by New England (30-14) and Oakland (30-17) to open last season.
With the Steelers trailing Cleveland 13-6 on Sept. 28 and on the verge of an 0-3 start, Cowher replaced him with Maddox, the former XFL star who hadn't had any meaningful NFL playing time in 10 years.
Maddox rallied them to a 16-13 overtime victory, and the job was his. Stewart's only substantial playing time came in victories over the Bengals and Jaguars, when Maddox was hurt.
"It's not like he totally lost his ability to be an effective quarterback in this league, but when he struggled early it presented Tommy an opportunity, which he took advantage of," Cowher said.
Stewart never publicly criticized the decision, even though it angered him and made him eager to leave.
"I can't control what other people do," he said. "I've proven myself time and time again."
Not long ago, it seemed likely Stewart would spend his entire career in Pittsburgh. Even before becoming the starter in 1997, he was known as "Slash," a multidimensional threat who could make plays as a quarterback, running back and receiver.
Stewart's scrambling ability and his throwing led the Steelers to the AFC championship game in 1997, when Cowher gave him a kiss on the cheek to celebrate a comeback victory in Baltimore.
But, in a preview of the inconsistency that was to come, he threw three interceptions in a 24-21 loss to Denver in the AFC title game at Three Rivers Stadium. After that, he lost his starting job three times -- at the end of a 6-10 season in 1999 to Mike Tomczak, at the start of the 2000 season to journeyman Kent Graham and to Maddox last season.
By then, the Steelers and Stewart weren't about to kiss and make up. Nor were there the tears Stewart displayed after being benched in a 1998 game against Tampa Bay.
"The first time it happens, you say, `Dang, what happened,' " Stewart said late last season. "The second time you're kind of mad, like, `Why is this happening again?' The third time, you become immune to it."
Stewart also had an uneven relationship with the fans. He was one of the most popular players in team history early in his career, but was frequently jeered and criticized during his final few seasons.
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