The Pittsburgh Steelers have released rookie quarterback Chris Oladokun, according to Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson. Oladokun was picked in the seventh round in the 2022 NFL Draft, a shocking selection considering the team had already taken a quarterback in the first round. The writing has been on the wall for the South Dakota State product, as he's been unable to get reps in training camp.
Steelers released rookie quarterback Chris Oladokun, according to a league source @PFN365
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 23, 2022
Oladokun's release begins Tuesday's roster cuts, as teams have to bring their roster down to 85 players. Oladokun will likely end back up on the team's practice squad, despite being apart of the initial wave of roster cuts. By Tuesday afternoon, the Steelers have to cut down to 85 players. By next Tuesday, the team will be set, cutting down to 53 players.
Steelers' rookie QB Chris Oladokun participates in Rookie Mini Camp (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Coming out of college, Oladokun was viewed as a very raw quarterback. He played very little college football, especially before the 2021 season. As a result, he was drafted as a developmental project. If he does indeed end up back on the team's practice squad, they'll be able to continue to nurture him there. While the team views Kenny Pickett as the long-term option at quarterback, as evidenced by using their 20th overall selection on him, Oladokun could eventually become Pickett's long-term backup.
Mitch Trubisky, the probable starter for Week 1 in Cincinnati, only signed a two-year deal with the team this off-season. Due to the battle of Trubisky, Pickett, and veteran Mason Rudolph for the starting job, Oladokun didn't get any training camp reps until last week. Unless if Rudolph were to be traded, Oladokun really never had a shot at making the 53-man roster.
Before anyone freaks out on the team's decision to pick Oladokun in the draft, and then cut him in the middle of August, most seventh-rounders don't even make the opening day rosters. The progression of Mark Robinson, another seventh-round selection in this year's draft, has to ease up the criticism as well. Although, that may be what everyone is trying to argue, as the pick used on Oladokun could have been used on another key position, where a guy could have broken out similar to Robinson.
Credit: Steelers.com
Do you feel as if the team wasted their final pick of the draft? Can Oladokun eventually become a backup in this league? Will he end back up on the team's practice squad? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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