Steelers Release Former Cardinals OL

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released a familiar face in Mason Cole.

ARIZONA -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing former Arizona Cardinals OL Mason Cole, the team announced today. 

More info from the Steelers' official statement:

"Cole was the team's starting center the last two seasons (2022-23). He started a total of 34 regular season games, 17 each season during that time. He also started the Steelers Wild Card playoff game in 2023. 

"Cole signed with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent during the 2022 offseason, after spending one season with the Minnesota Vikings (2021) and three with the Arizona Cardinals (2018-20), the team who drafted him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. 

"Cole was the recipient of 'The Chief' Award in 2022, named after Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. and presented to a member of the Steelers organization who best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media that Rooney displayed."

Pittsburgh cleared $4.75 million in cap space with the move. 

Cole - made the 97th overall pick by the Cardinals - started all 16 games his rookie season before heading back to the bench in his sophomore season with just two starts in all 16 games. 

2020 saw Cole start all 14 games he featured in before he was dealt to the Vikings ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.