Pittsburgh Steelers release center Mason Cole

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (KDKA) – Center Mason Cole has been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On Friday, the team shared the news. For the past two seasons, Cole has been the starting center for the club, starting 35 games in both the regular season and the postseason. The decision, according to Bob Pompeani of KDKA-TV, saves the Steelers around $5 million in salary room.

Following the 2021 season, he joined with Pittsburgh. He had previously played for the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.

He was selected from the University of Michigan in the third round of the 2018 draft.

NFL free agency kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on March 13.

Another veteran is leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers said on February 23 that Mason Cole, their starting center, had been dismissed.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old started 35 games for the Steelers during 2022–2023 (including postseason games). His contract was expiring in a year.

According to Rule of 51, the Steelers were able to save $3.955 million in salary cap space when he was released. With his departure, the organization took in dead cap money of around $1.5 million.

Ahead of the 2022 season, Cole signed a three-year, $15.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cole spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.

The Steelers also released Cole, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, punter Pressley Harvin III, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Another veteran is leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers said on February 23 that Mason Cole, their starting center, had been dismissed.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old started 35 games for the Steelers during 2022–2023 (including postseason games). Since the Super Bowl, he has only had one.

Mason Mason is cut by the Steelers Cole
After the 2022 season, Cole seemed like a terrific addition for the Steelers. Cole was characterized by Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora as “solid,” “tough, and durable.”

But in 2023, he stopped playing.

Cole had the worst season of his career last year, based on the Pro Football Focus player grades. His pass blocking performance was very poor; at PFF, he had a pass protection rating of 32.4 (out of 100).

“No center is permitted if the postseason is included.” more demands than Mason Cole in 2023, according to PFF Daniel Valente of The Score posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“This was required, even though a center was going to be greatly needed.”

In 2018, Cole joined the Cardinals as a third-round selection. As a rookie, he started each of the 16 games.

He made 32 starts with the Cardinals before being transferred by Arizona to Minnesota in exchange for a sixth-round selection. During one season, he made seven starts out of 14 games as a Viking.

The NFL also said on February 23 that the pay cap for the league will rise by an unprecedented $30 million for the 2024 campaign. The Steelers now have a far better cap situation as a result.

When you add Cole’s release to that, the Steelers have more than $12 million in cap space at your disposal.

How Will the Steelers Take Cole’s Place?
Because to his dismal 2023 season and the cap money saved, Cole’s dismissal will be widely hailed. However, the Steelers are without another center in their lineup.

Thus, the Steelers will have a fresh need when they hit free agency. Given the lack of a backup option on the squad, center could even start to take precedence.

The Steelers may have given the other teams a hint that they plan to select one of the best centers available in the 2024 NFL Draft by releasing Cole. seems really likely. Kozora contributed to X.

It is difficult to envision the Steelers selecting a player out of the draft other than Zach Frazier of West Virginia or Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon, Kozora continued.

Powers-Johnson has been associated with the Steelers at No. 20 overall in the first round. At the 2024 Senior Bowl, he spoke with Mike Tomlin, the head coach.

Derrick Bell of Steelers Now predicted that the Steelers will go after Frazier in the second round. However, Frazier has also been getting some interest in mock drafts from late first-round players.