2024 Steelers Exit Interviews: Corliss Waitman and Cameron Johnston
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2025.
Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do them yet again here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.
Next up are punters Corliss Waitman and Cameron Johnston.
Corliss Waitman
Position: Punter
Years with the Steelers: 3 (including practice squad)
Years in the NFL: 5 (including practice squad)
Contract Status: Signed through 2025
Contract Details: $1,100,000 salary cap hit for 2025. Would cost the Steelers $0 in dead money if released and save $1,100,000.
Games played in 2024: 16 regular season
Games started in 2024: 0 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 140 (special teams)
PFF score: 70.2 (19th of 33)
Notable stats: Waitman had 3,015 punting yards on 65 punts for a 46.4 gross yards per punt average and a 41.4 net yards per punt average with 41.5% of punts being inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Notes: I have to admit that I did not realize the Steelers signed Corliss Waitman to a two-year contract when it was done following Week 1 of the 2024 season. I don’t think it said anything on Steelers.com but that was the case. Either way, it was a pleasant surprise to know that the Steelers safety net from 2024 is still there for 2025 if Cam Johnston is not able to return to full strength. While it might not be the best deal for Waitman right now as he could be looking for a better situation, it got him back into the NFL on a 53-man roster in 2024 so he was wise to take the opportunity. Whenever called on, Waitman has done a nice job for the Steelers. I just don’t know if it’s enough to earn the job again unless Johnston isn’t available.
Cameron Johnston
Position: Punter
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 7
Contract Status: Signed through 2026
Contract Details: $3,458,333 salary cap hit for 2025. Would cost the Steelers $1,916,667 in dead money if released and save $1,541,666.
Games played in 2024: 1 regular season
Games started in 2024: 0 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 8 (special teams)
PFF score: 61.6 (DNQ for ranking)
Notable stats: Johnston had 103 punting yards on 2 punts for a 51.5 gross yards per punt average and a 37.5 net yards per punt with 50% of punts being inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Notes: It was good to see the video last week of Johnston running. It was a shame after the Steelers went out and got the guy they wanted at punter as their first free agent signing of 2024 only for him to be knocked out for the season in the very first regular season game. Even though he is under contract for two more seasons, Johnston is going to have to get the job done in training camp to beat out Corliss Waitman.
Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:
Troy Fautanu & Broderick Jones
Zach Frazier & Ryan McCollum
Roman Wilson & Van Jefferson
Payton Wilson & Patrick Queen
Mason McCormick & James Daniels
Logan Lee & Isaiahh Loudermilk
Ryan Watts & Damontae Kazee
Joey Porter Jr. & James Pierre
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Pat Freiermuth
Nick Herbig & Jeremiah Moon
Cory Trice Jr. & Donte Jackson
Spencer Anderson & Calvin Anderson
Larry Ogunjobi & Preston Smith
Beanie Bishop Jr. & Cameron Sutton
George Pickens & Mike Williams
DeMarvin Leal & Dean Lowry
Calvin Austin III & Ben Skowronek
Connor Heyward & MyCole Pruitt
Mark Robinson & Elandon Roberts
Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
Russell Wilson & Justin Fields
Kyle Allen & Cordarrelle Patterson
Isaac Seumalo & Max Scharping
Tyler Matakevich & C.J. Henderson
Miles Killebrew & Christian Kuntz
If you have 2 punters do you have no punters? Or does that only apply to quarterbacks?
But seriously, couldn’t have asked for more from Waitman. Idk what it would take from Johnston to lose the job, unless he is just no where near the same after the injury. Also wonder if one of these guys gets traded. But i would guess it becomes a game of who blinks first and Waitman eventually gets cut. Yeah im bored at work making corny jokes about punters and debating what happens with them. But this is why I love SCN. Go Steelers!