The Pittsburgh Steelers have converted $8.26 million of linebacker Ryan Shazier's $8.718 million base salary for 2018 into a signing bonus, according to a league source.

In doing so, Shazier will receive this money immediately, a solid gesture by the organization for a beloved player throughout Pittsburgh.

A source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Shazier approached the Steelers about the conversion and the move was done at his request.

Shazier continues to rehab and recover from a spinal injury suffered last season in a game against the Bengals. While his football career remains in doubt at this point, he has made notable progress, including an inspiring moment in which he walked across the stage to announce a team draft choice during the 2018 NFL draft last week in Arlington, Texas.

Shazier, 25, was placed on the physically unable to perform list on Wednesday, signaling the end to his 2018 season.

While the move has no salary-cap consequences for the Steelers, it's a move that benefits Shazier in receiving the vast majority of his salary now.