Steelers add former Cardinals, Vikings center/guard Mason Cole in free agency
In their second free-agent signing on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms Monday with center/guard Mason Cole.
ESPN reported Cole will sign a three-year contract when the new NFL calendar season begins Wednesday. His signing comes on the same day the Steelers and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky agreed to a two-year deal. The Steelers also retained starting right tackle Chuks Okorafor on a three-year contract.
Cole, 25, was selected by Arizona in the third round of the 2018 draft as a center out of Michigan. After spending three seasons with the Cardinals, he started seven of 14 games last season with Minnesota. He has started 39 of 60 career NFL games.
Cole began the 2021 season at center but shifted to right guard and played that position when the Vikings rushed for 242 yards in a 36-28 victory against the Steelers in December.
With the Steelers, Cole could be used to help replace right guard Trai Turner, who is an unrestricted free agent. He also is an option at center where Kendrick Green struggled at times as a rookie.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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