Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The Steelers have plenty of options when it comes to replacing center Mason Cole.
In what was a somewhat surprise move, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Friday they were terminating the contract of last season’s starting center Mason Cole. Cole had one year left on the contract he signed with the Steelers as a free agent.
Here are five things the release of Cole could mean for the Steelers.
Bye, Mason Cole!
The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking steps to address weakness in their offensive line with the release of center Mason Cole.
The veteran lineman had one year remaining on his contract and saves the team just shy of $5 million in cap space.
Per Pro Football Focus, Cole’s overall offensive grade in 2023 was 55 (for comparison, PFF considers an average grade as 70-79.9), which breaks down as 63.8 in run blocking and 32.8 in pass blocking. He allowed 42 QB pressures (hits, hurries, sacks) and was beaten by defenders 27 times, including four in the wild card loss to the Buffalo Bills.
It’s safe to say Cole can be added to the worst free agent signings in Steelers’ history.
The move surely points to the Steelers taking a center within the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.
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