Steelers sign safety Burnett

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers continued their low-key approach to free agency Tuesday by signing safety Morgan Burnett to a three-year contract for a reported $14.5 million.
The signing of Burnett comes on the heels of the Steelers signing linebacker Jon Bostic. Both players have a recent history of nagging injuries, with the 29-year-old Burnett missing 10 games in the last three seasons due to groin, hamstring and calf issues.
Burnett is a 6-1, 209-pound safety who’s spent multiple seasons at both free and strong safety for the Green Bay Packers. He made nine solo tackles last year against the Steelers and finished with 68 tackles in 12 starts.
Burnett said he signed with the Steelers because of “The history of Pittsburgh, the tradition. … Coming from Green Bay it was the same tradition.”
A third-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2010 (71st pick), Burnett started the opener of his rookie season but didn’t play in the Super Bowl against the Steelers that season after being placed on injured reserve (ACL) following the fourth game.
Burnett started the 2011 season at strong safety, was moved to free safety in 2012 and back to strong safety in 2014. According to Packers Report publisher Bill Huber, Burnett’s primary position last season was “linebacker in the dime,” which was dubbed the Nitro by the Packers and was their most-used package.
Burnett’s second job was box safety in the nickel, according to Huber. “Then the slot. Deep safety was waaaaaaay down the list.”
Burnett even wore the “green dot” on his helmet as the hub of communication with the sideline. He called the defensive plays, which is primarily the job of a linebacker.
“It’s normally for linebackers,” Burnett said. “When they brought it to me, I was kind of like, ‘Whoa, that’s nothing I’m used to doing.’ But it doesn’t take long. The only thing you’re doing is repeating what you hear in your helmet. Sometimes it can be a tongue-twister, but you’ve got to improvise and make sure everyone gets it right.”
So, while Burnett will no doubt be trumpeted as the Steelers’ next free safety’ it’s possible he’ll replace William Gay at the dime linebacker position.
“They haven’t said anything yet,” Burnett said of his specific position. “I’m just coming in, like I said, everything’s new. I’m coming in to do my job the best I can do, wherever I fit, to be accountable as a teammate and earn the respect of the coaches and get into a routine with the rest of the fellas.”
In his eight-year career, Burnett has 718 tackles, nine interceptions, 46 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and 7.5 sacks.
Former NFL scout Matt Williamson described Burnett this way:
“Versatile enough to do pretty much anything asked of him, and quite credibly. Burnett is more of a strong safety. He’s a steady player and a strong positive influence in the locker room. An accomplished veteran such as Burnett could prove to be very valuable behind the scenes for a young secondary, as well as to a probable high draft pick at the safety position. Burnett has played a lot of football but don’t think he’s near the end of the line. As was the case with the entirety of Green Bay’s secondary, Burnett wasn’t at his very best in 2017. Still, he just turned 29 in January, and with his savvy should be a major contributor for the next several seasons at least. It isn’t uncommon to see crafty safeties playing well into their mid 30s. Burnett would contribute equally in zone or man coverage and probably would immediately supplant Davis as Pittsburgh’s answer for opposing tight ends in man coverage. Burnett also is a far better player versus the run than any safety on Pittsburgh’s roster, and is an excellent tackler. Burnett would be a glue guy for the Steelers in very many ways.”