Mason

Cole

The Steelers entered the offseason with problems at center, which can be directly linked back to Cole, who started all 34 regular season games for them over the last two seasons. With Cole now gone, it goes without saying that the Steelers will officially look to address the center position this offseason via either the draft or free agency. The release of Cole saves the Steelers roughly $4.75 million in cap space for 2024.

In Pittsburgh, 26-year-old Cole (later this month) will replace incumbent Kendrick Green, who graded out as one of Pro Football Focus’ worst starting centers from last season. Cole, on the other hand, was PFF’s No. 19 center, receiving strong marks for his run blocking. Running the ball is what the Steelers want to do more of in the post-Ben Roethlisberger and new Mitchell Trubisky world.

The starting pivot in Arizona last season, Cole could reportedly be shifting to guard in Minnesota. Cole was a liability in the middle of the Cardinals’ line last season, but he is only 25 (in three days) with 32 games of starting experience. At the cost of a sixth-rounder, it’s a no-risk move for a Vikings team always in need of tending to its line.

It’s the second straight absence for Cole, who was replaced by Lamont Gaillard in Arizona’s starting lineup against Washington. Gaillard graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 32 center among 37 qualifiers in Week 2. He’ll make another start across from Detroit’s injury-riddled defensive unit in Week 3.

Cole (6’4/305) broke Jon Jansen’s school record for consecutive offensive line starts (51) at Michigan, playing left tackle as a freshman, sophomore, and senior with a junior-year stint at center. He was a second-team All-Big Ten pick in 2016 and 2017. Due to short arms (32 1/8") and ninth-percentile SPARQ athleticism, Cole is headed back inside in the pros, where he’ll have to win with technique, intelligence, and consistency over brute strength. Cole looks like a probable multi-position reserve with some chance to become a lower-end starter.

The Cardinals’ entire draft class is now under contract. Cole was a second-team All-Big Ten pick in 2016 and 2017. Due to short arms (32 1/8") and ninth-percentile SPARQ athleticism, Cole is headed inside in the pros, where he’ll have to win with technique, intelligence, and consistency over brute strength. Cole looks like a probable multi-position reserve with some chance to become a lower-end starter.

Cole spent three of his four seasons at Michigan on the blindside, though he did man the pivot as a junior. Rotoworld’s Evan Silva believes Cole will have to win with “technique, intelligence, and consistency over brute strength” as an NFL starter. He tested as a ninth-percentile SPARQ athlete at the Combine.