The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 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 2024.

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 the same 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 specialists Pressley Harvin and Christian Kuntz.

Pressley Harvin

Position: Punter
Years with the Steelers: 3
Years in the NFL: 3
Contract Status: Signed through 2024
Contract Details: $1,075,183 salary cap hit for 2024. Would cost the Steelers $20,183 in dead money if released and save $1,055,000.
Games played in 2023: 15 regular season
Games started in 2023: 0 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 134 (special teams)
PFF score: 50.1 (38th of 39)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Harvin had 78 punts for 3,419 yards for 43.8 yards per punt and a net yards per punt of 39.1. Harvin had 6 touchbacks and 30 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Notes: The Steelers need to write themselves a letter about the punter position from the end of the season and read it every day during training camp. Pressley Harvin puts very well in Latrobe and does not do a bad job early in the season, but as the season wears on, whether it be weather or simply fatigue, his punting takes even more of a hit. So while he’s booming the ball in August, the Steelers need to remember what he offers in December. After three seasons, there should be no obligation for Harvin to be the guy again next year if someone else appears somewhat equal in training camp and doesn’t have a history of poor kicking late in the year.

Christian Kuntz

Position: Long snapper
Years with the Steelers: 3
Years in the NFL: 3
Contract Status: Free Agent
Contract Details: Contract expiring with no dead money
Games played in 2023: 17 regular season
Games started in 2023: 0 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 150 (special teams)
PFF score: 45.3 (special teams- no ranking for long snappers)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Kuntz had 4 tackles and two penalties.

Notes: When it comes to Christian Kuntz at long snapper, he wasn’t perfect in 2023 but gave just about what you would see from any long snapper in the NFL. There were a few times the snaps were off, but not to the level of creating a poor kick. If paying attention to the snapping around the entire league, it was really no worse than anywhere else. Kuntz does have a lower PFF score mainly because of getting a couple penalties on punt coverage. Being a former linebacker, he does get down the field and offer something in that regard which might not come from other long snappers. Especially being a local player, I look for Kuntz to be back next year with some competition at training camp for him to be in the mix to keep the job for 2024.

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:

Broderick Jones & Chuks Okorafor
Joey Porter Jr. & Levi Wallace
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Rodney Williams
Nick Herbig & Markus Golden
Cory Trice Jr. & James Pierre
Spencer Anderson & Dylan Cook
Kenny Pickett & Mason Rudolph
George Pickens & Miles Boykin
DeMarvin Leal & Armon Watts
Calvin Austin III & Allen Robinson
Connor Heyward & Godwin Igwebuike
Mark Robinson & Blake Martinez
Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
Pat Freiermuth & Diontae Johnson
Dan Moore Jr. & Mason Cole
Isaiahh Loudermilk and Larry Ogunjobi