The Philadelphia Eagles released linebacker L.J Fort on Friday and while that might not seem like too big of a deal to fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it really is a notable transaction that needs to be discussed.
According to compensatory draft pick specialist Nick Korte of Over the Cap, the Eagles not only pick up a fourth-round 2020 compensatory pick by cutting Forte, they also simultaneously take off the board the Steelers projected third-round 2020 compensatory draft pick they were seemingly on course to receive for losing Le’Veon Bell via unrestricted free agency this past offseason.
According to Korte, the Steelers can still get their third-round 2020 compensatory pick for Bell back if they cut wide receiver Donte Moncrief before Week 10. With Moncrief currently buried on the Steelers wide receiver depth chart following several drops to start the 2019 regular season, it’s definitely a possibility that he winds up gone sooner rather than later. Moncrief was inactive this past Sunday and could be inactive Monday again Monday night.
The Steelers can get their 3rd round 2020 compensatory pick for Le’Veon Bell back, however, if they cut Donte Moncrief before Week 10.
Given that he’s currently in the doghouse in Pittsburgh, Moncrief’s contractual status should be followed closely.
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) September 27, 2019
The Steelers signed Moncrief to a two-year, $9 million contract back in March that included a $3.5 million signing bonus. Moncrief’s base salary for 2019 is $1.5 million. By cutting Moncfrief before the season is over the Steelers would incur an $1.75 million dead money charge in 2020.
Wit Fort now on the street he could be an option for the Steelers later on this season should they suffer any injures at the inside linebacker position or they need help on special teams due to injuries. Fort was a special teams asset for the Steelers the last several seasons and played sparingly on defense.
The Eagles signed Fort this past March to a three-year, $5.5 million contract that included $1.9 million in guarantees of which $875,000 was a signing bonus.
