Steelers Sign Corliss Waitman to Replace Injured Cameron Johnston
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released punter Cameron Johnston and signed Corliss Waitman to take over the role.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released punter Cameron Johnston and given the starting job to Belgian Corliss Waitman, the team confirmed on Monday.
Johnston, 33, was in the second year of his three-year, $9 million contract when the Steelers decided to move on from him. The Australian punter missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury he suffered in week 1.
Johnston joined the Steelers in the 2024 offseason after spending the first seven years of his career in Philadelphia and Houston. The Steelers save $1.4 million in 2025 cash by releasing the punter, but will also carry a dead cap weight of $1.9 million
The Pittsburgh Steelers' decision to release punter Cameron Johnston paves the way for Corliss Waitman to take over as the official starting punter. Waitman, who has a unique background having grown up in both Belgium and the Netherlands, has demonstrated his capabilities with the Steelers. Notably, he started the last 16 games of the 2024 season, showcasing his consistency and skill.
Waitman's Performance:
- Punts: 65
- Total Yards: 3,015
- Average Yards per Punt: 46.5
With this release, Waitman is poised to continue his role as the team's primary punter, bringing his experience and performance to the forefront.
Corliss Waitman, 30, has been making waves with his exceptional punting skills, averaging a remarkable 4.84-second hangtime per punt - the highest among all punters. This outstanding performance likely played a significant role in the Steelers' decision to release Cameron Johnston and name Waitman the starting punter.
In contrast, Cameron Johnston averaged a hangtime of 4.20 seconds, ranking 30th among punters. The significant difference in hangtime between the two punters may have contributed to the Steelers' decision to go with Waitman. It's worth noting that Johnston was signed to a three-year, $9 million contract but missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury sustained in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the New Orleans Saints were reportedly exploring a trade for Waitman. However, the Steelers seemed reluctant to let him go, suggesting they value his skills and believe he can make a significant impact on their special teams unit.
Corliss Waitman's NFL Journey
Corliss Waitman began his NFL career in 2020 as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad. The Belgian punter's early journey involved bouncing between various teams' practice squads.
Waitman's NFL Teams and Timeline
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020): Started on the practice squad
Las Vegas Raiders (2021): Signed in July, released in August
New England Patriots (2021): Joined the practice squad in November
Pittsburgh Steelers (2021): Signed off the Patriots' practice squad in December, made NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos (2022): Claimed off waivers, played 17 regular-season games
New England Patriots (2023): Signed, released, and re-signed to the practice squad
Chicago Bears (2024): Signed to the practice squad, released in August
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024): Signed after Cameron Johnston's injury, became the starting punter
Corliss Waitman has won the Steelers punter job, and he had interest elsewhere. The Saints inquired about trading for him before the Steelers made the final decision to stick with him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2025
Notable Performances
Waitman has demonstrated his skills throughout his NFL career, including:
- 2022 Season: Punted 96 times for 4,470 yards with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line
- 2024 Season: Punted 65 times for 3,015 yards with 27 punts inside the 20-yard line, averaging 46.4 yards per punt
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