"After seven seasons with the Jets, Jerricho Cotchery reported today to his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The receiver, who asked the Jets for a trade or release after last season, addressed the media for the first time since the Jets granted his request Aug. 4.

"It was time for a change, time for a change of scenery for myself and the organization as well," Cotchery told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It was time to move on. Future-wise I didn't really see myself fitting in.

"People on the outside looking in might say, well you been there that long, you're part of the future, but I didn't really see it that way. I think it would have been beneficial for both sides to move on."

Cotchery, who reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, called it a "fresh start." He visited Pittsburgh last week, and said "I felt like this is the place for me, this is the type of atmosphere I need to be in."

The Jets could not trade Cotchery, because he had offseason back surgery and began camp on the physically unable to perform list. He had been due $1.8 million in base salary with the Jets.

Cotchery, 29, felt underappreciated by the organization, The Star-Ledger reported at the time of his surprising release. He was a starter for four seasons but fell behind Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards on the depth chart last year. The Jets re-signed Holmes to a long-term deal and also brought in Plaxico Burress, indicating Cotchery would again be the No. 3 receiver."