If you were still holding out hope of cornerback Joe Haden returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s probably time to let it go. The former Steelers star posted an Instagram reel on Monday of his famous shoe closet all boxed up and empty with the song Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C as background music.
Haden has been the best cornerback on the Steelers since joining the team just before the start of the 2017 season. Haden was a cap cut by the Cleveland Browns and the Steelers welcomed Haden to a winning program for the first time in his pro career. Haden started 67 games in five seasons in Pittsburgh.
Now, Haden finds himself 33 years old, struggling to stay healthy, and still wanting to be paid a premium for his services. Pittsburgh signed free agent cornerback Levi Wallace early in the offseason and re-signed emerging cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. Haden seems to not fit the youth movement Pittsburgh has going at his price point.