Burnett wants release from Steelers, feels he was cast in wrong role

Veteran safety Morgan Burnett wants the Pittsburgh Steelers to release him after they forced him into an uncomfortable role within their defense, he told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Burnett is one season into the three-year, $14.35-million deal he signed with the Steelers as a free agent one year ago. He was signed to bolster a secondary in Pittsburgh that had struggled in recent years.

The 30-year-old said Pittsburgh cast him as a dime linebacker, whereas he wanted to be featured as a safety. Burnett carries over $2.8 million in dead cap money for 2019 and more than $1.4 million in dead cap money for 2020, according to Spotrac.

Burnett recorded 30 tackles in his inaugural campaign with the Steelers. The Georgia Tech product spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers.