Pittsburgh Steelers Release Jerome Bettis… in 2015

Jun 29, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister (28) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers former running back Jerome Bettis (R) in the Pirates dugout before the Pirates host the New York Mets at PNC Park. The Pirates won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

When you mention Pittsburgh Steelers and running game, it’s fairly easy to drum up an image of what that looks like in your head.

Jerome Bettis.

The fan favorite and iconic running back took his last snaps in Super Bowl XL back in 2005.  Yet on Tuesday afternoon, the Steelers front office released Bettis.  No this is not an Onion article.  It’s completely and utterly true.  Broken first by Pro Football Focus and confirmed through Pro Football Talk, the Steelers took Bettis off of their reserve/retired list on Tuesday.  They also released center Jeff Hartings, offensive tackle John Jackson, and cornerback Fernando Bryant.

So why the move?  PFT had this to say –

"A source with knowledge of the club’s decision-making told PFT the Steelers were simply getting the reserve lists in good order."

Well I guess that makes Bettis a full fledged free agent if he wants to come back.  Nah, he’s doing just fine with his Jerome Bettis Grille 36.  At a time when the running game seems to be on a wild roller coaster of a ride, I’m sure Steeler fans would love to see their second all-time leading rusher line up behind Ben Roethlisberger a few more times.  I guess we will all just have to resign to watching him guest appear on NFL shows and give his commentary on current Steeler situations over the course of the season

Sorry Steeler Nation, looks like it’s technically official now that Bettis is no longer on the Steelers roster.

Career stat line on Jerome Bettis:

[table id=6 /]