The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2018 draft was largely forgettable for the organization. They began by selecting safety Terrell Edmunds with the 28th overall pick in the first round. In the second round, they chose wide receiver James Washington, followed by quarterback Mason Rudolph and tackle Chukwuma Okorafor in the third round.
Davis Phillips / AP
Steelers former first round draft pick Terrell Edmunds holds up his jersey after being selected by the team in the 2018 NFL Draft.
In the fifth round, the Steelers selected Marcus Allen and Jaylen Samuels, finishing the draft with defensive tackle Joshua Frazier in the final round. Overall, the draft did not yield many positive outcomes for Pittsburgh.
After the draft, the Steelers turned to the undrafted free agent market, signing offensive lineman Chris Schleuger. However, Schleuger's tenure with the team was short-lived. He was cut following Pittsburgh's final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
Now, over half a decade later, Schleuger has joined the BC Lions' YouTube channel to share his experience of being cut by the Steelers. In his interview, Schleuger brought up a game against the Tennessee Titans. He knew after the game he was going to be cut and made a comment to his mother.
"My mom came out to the Tennessee Titans game," Schleuger told the show. "She drove out there. After the game, I wasn't having a good feeling. I was like, 'I'll probably be right behind you on the road.’ They cut me at 3 o'clock. Drove home after that."
Schleuger was actually cut after the final preseason game against the Panthers, not the game he originally mentioned. Although he may have confused the games, his sentiment about the experience remains unchanged. Schleuger continued to explain how thankful he was just to have the opportunity to suit up for an iconic franchise like Pittsburgh.
"That was a dream come true," Schleuger said. "Because my dad's a Steelers' fan. My brother's a Steelers' fan. We've got Steelers' curtains in the house. My dad got to go to the Eagles' preseason game so I'm thankful for that… I just lucked out to have the opportunity."
After being cut by the Steelers, Schleuger faced a sobering period. As many would expect, it took him some time to regain the motivation to pursue another professional football opportunity.
"It was tough. Sat at home and stewed for a little bit like everyone would. But eventually got my act together and said, we're going to do whatever. If I can play, I can play."
Steelers' Jaylen Warren Is A Rare Case Of Undrafted Free Agent Success
For undrafted free agents, making the 53-man roster is an uphill climb. Not everyone ends up with a fairytale story like Jaylen Warren, the Steelers running back who entered the NFL undrafted and worked his way onto the active roster, eventually earning more opportunities. Unfortunately, not everyone can achieve that, and despite some impressive moments, Schleuger faced too much competition and was cut.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Running back Jaylen Warren scores a touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Los Angeles Rams.
Schleuger didn't spend much time with Pittsburgh, but he cherishes those memories. After being cut by the Steelers, he played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL, then joined the Birmingham Iron in the Alliance of American Football. He returned to the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes and, in 2023, joined the BC Lions, his current team.
Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com
Former Steelers offensive lineman Chris Schleuger during his time in the CFL.
While Schleuger's NFL career was brief, he appears to have found a home in the CFL. His short time with the Steelers is a testament to perseverance despite difficult circumstances. Now, at age 29, he continues to excel in the CFL and hopes to one day get another chance in the NFL. The NFL is the toughest league in the world for a reason, and Schleuger has achieved far more than most undrafted free agents, his story living on in Pittsburgh football history.
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