The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Friday afternoon that they have released center Mason Cole, via their X page. This officially means the team can begin the process of looking for a new center either via free agency and/or the 2024 NFL Draft.
The move is one fans have been anxiously awaiting since the end of the 2023 season. The Steelers, along with the rest of the NFL, found out that the 2024 NFL Salary Cap will be $255.4 million. The unprecedented amount is $30 million more than 2023 per Ian Rapoport. The release of Cole frees up another $4.75 million in dead cap money.
Cole joined the Steelers in 2022 after spending time with both the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals. He initially appeared to be a solid acquisition and started all 17 games in both seasons, but floundered considerably in 2023. Cole struggled with snapping the ball and blocking. You frequently heard analysts refer to him as a “turnstile” and defenses were taking advantage of the gaping hole putting any Steelers quarterback in danger.
He is the latest in a string of players released so far this offseason, including quarterback Mitch Trubisky, punter Pressley Harvin, and offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.
General Manager Omar Khan will have to work some of his magic and find a center that can help protect whoever wins the quarterback battle in Pittsburgh.
