The Pittsburgh Steelers shopped for bargains when they signed Mason Cole as a free agent in 2022. A former third-round draft pick, he spent roughly half his career as a backup prior to his arrival. And the Steelers immediately plugged him in at center, a favorable alternative to Kendrick Green.
While he improved the position considerably by way of comparison, Cole went in the wrong direction. He played worse in 2023 than he did last year, and the Steelers accordingly released him this offseason. Offensive line trainer Duke Manyweather admits he’s not surprised. Manyweather, who trains some current and former Steelers linemen, never saw that type of player in him—though he argued the criticism of his snapping was overblown.