Home Steelers Offseason After 11 Seasons, Heeeeeaaaath Miller Hangs ‘Em Up

After 11 Seasons, Heeeeeaaaath Miller Hangs ‘Em Up

by Steeldad

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a short time ago that former first round draft pick and two-time Super Bowl winning tight end Heath Miller has announced his retirement.

With his departure, the Steelers have just three players remaining from the Bill Cowher era. Ben Roethlisberger, Greg Warren and presumably James Harrison. His retirement also saves the Steelers $4 million in salary cap dollars.

Miller retires as the Steelers’ all-time leader in nearly every key tight end statistic. He leaves with 592 career receptions, 6,569 yards and 45 touchdowns. All three are Steelers’ records. Never flashy, but always productive. Miller never had fewer than 34 receptions in a season and had a career-high of 76 in 2009.

Rarely has any player been so universally loved in Pittsburgh as much as Heath Miller. Soft-spoken and down-to-earth, the former high school quarterback was a first-round draft pick of the Steelers out of the University of Virginia. The classic and boisterous call of “Heeeeeeaaaaatthh!” would rain down on not just Heinz Field but anywhere the Steelers played when Miller made a reception.

With Miller retiring and Matt Spaeth a free agent, last year’s 4th round draft pick Jesse James is the likely replacement. It does however open the door even wider for the possible selection of a tight not only in teh 2016 draft but in the first round as well.

I know I speak for all Steelers’ fans when I say “Thank you and best wishes Heath Miller!”

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2 comments

Ben Anderson February 19, 2016 - 7:49 pm

His retirement also saves the Steelers approximately $4 million in salary cap dollars.
It’s actually exactly $4 million or what his salary was scheduled to be in the last year of his deal. No way to forestall the remaining bonus proration.

steeldad February 19, 2016 - 8:13 pm

OK, I wasn’t entirely certain at the moment I was writing it. I’ll fix that.

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