Steelers A to Z: Intriguing OT Dylan Cook looks to bounce back from 2024 foot injury

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

OT DYLAN COOK

Experience/age: Has not appeared in a regular-season game, 27

Contract status: $960,000 cap hit if he makes the team in 2025

The past: Cook began his post-high school football journey as a quarterback at NAIA school Montana State-Northern before a transfer to Montana where he took up a position (offensive tackle) that was more befitting his size (listed at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds). After signing as an undrafted free agent, Cook spent most of 2022 on the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the Steelers claimed him on waivers in May 2023.

Cook was arguably the biggest roster surprise of that ensuing training camp, making the 53-man to open the season and remaining on it all year. He did not, though, appear in any regular-season games. During last year’s training camp, Cook suffered a Lisfranc foot injury and went on injured reserve after final roster cuts. Though he was cleared to practice in October, Cook never was added to the active roster throughout the ensuing 21-day window for the Steelers to do so. He spent the rest of the season on IR.

Steelers’ Dylan Cook views self as future contributor at offensive tackle, not just an ex-NAIA quarterback https://t.co/enF124k65l

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) November 6, 2023

2025 outlook: The Steelers have always tended to mine the unconventional offensive tackle prospects who hailed from varied positional backgrounds (think Alejandro Villanueva), and to some degrees of success. Cook appeared on his way to that during his first year with the organization. But he never flashed a serious potential to contend to be a starter, and of course the injury during lead-up to last season did him no favors.

Calvin Anderson is entrenched as the top backup tackle for 2025 behind starters Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, but Cook is in the running to slot onto the 53-man roster behind him. Spencer Anderson has experience at tackle, though is mostly considered a backup guard. Veterans of the interior line Max Scharping and Ryan McCollum are still around, as are a handful of younger players. Cook will have his work cut out for him to stand out.