PITTSBURGH -- A new era has begun for the Steelers' kicking unit. Although Chris Boswell is still the kicker, he will have a new support cast for the 2021 season.
According to league sources, the Steelers have released Jordan Berry (punter) and Kameron Canaday (long snapper), according to ESPN. The Steelers have released Pressley Harvin III, a seventh-round draft pick, and Christian Kuntz (who played FCS football at Duquesne University) as the team's long snapper.
Berry joined the Steelers in 2015 as an undrafted-free agent and has been the Steelers' primary punter for six seasons. Berry was briefly released by the Steelers last year after Dustin Colquitt, a former Kansas City punter, brought in Berry for a month. But Berry signed a new contract with the Steelers in October and took over punting duties. In his career, he averaged 44.4 yards per kick, with a career high of 45.8 in the last season. Throughout training camp and preseason, he went toe-to–toe with Harvin (a Georgia Tech product who was also a 2020 Ray Guy winner).
Danny Smith, special teams coordinator for Special Teams, stated that "it really has been competitive" during training camp. It really has. It's great to see the pros do their best. No pun intended. It's been quite the competition. Pressley is very talented and Jordan punts the ball better than ever before.
Harvin was impressive from the start, averaged 46 yards per punt in his three preseason games. Berry rose to the occasion, averaging 43.9 yards per punt over two preseason games. However, the team chose to draft Berry.
After spending part of the 2020 season with the Steelers' practice squad, Kuntz was selected as long snapper. Kuntz also attended the 2019 Steelers training camp before being released during final cuts.
Since 2017, he's been in camps and on rosters with teams. He also spent a time in the XFL with Dallas Renegades. His versatility as a linebacker, and long snapper earned him praise.
