Steelers trade for veteran kicker Josh Scobee

The Steelers continued a rough pre-season, losing their second kicker to injury. Following a torn ACL for longtime kicker Shaun Suisham, the team signed Garrett Hartley. Hartley was lost to a hamstring injury during the 3rd preseason game this past Saturday.

In light of this, the Steelers hit the trade market and acquired a veteran kicker:

The Jaguars?src=hash">#Jaguars are trading longtime kicker Josh Scobee to the #Steelers. He’s been their kicker since 2004. Pitt had a K injury.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2015

The trade is a bit of a surprise, as Scobee is one of the top paid kickers. The expectation was that they would go out and sign a minimum salary undrafted kicker and try to discover the next Justin Tucker or Steven Hauschka, but they chose to go out and get a proven veteran.

#Steelers will take on $3.5M in salary for Josh Scobee. Thats a lot for a position you can often find a minimum salary vet

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) August 31, 2015

If Josh Scobee's contract remains unchanged, Steelers will have $7.14M in cap $$ consumed by two kickers. Costly injury to Suisham.

— Ian Whetstone (@IanWhetstone) August 31, 2015

He wasn't particularly accurate last year either:

Scobee was 20 of 26 for 76.9% last season. Long of 53 #Steelers

— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) August 31, 2015

The place he is a big improvement is from long distances:

Career FG % on kicks 50+. Josh Scobee: 61.9% Shaun Suisham: 31.3% #Steelers

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 31, 2015

Past 3 years: Scobee: Inside 50: 60-66, 90.9 %. 50+ 8-13, 61.5% Sushi: Inside 50: 85-89, 95.5%, 50+ 2-6, 33.3% @Steigerworld

— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) August 31, 2015