The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran center Mason Cole to a three year contract according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Cole finished last season playing 471 snaps, and had zero penalties. He allowed 2 sacks on 264 pass protection reps.
Former Cardinals and Vikings’ center Mason Cole intends to sign a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2022
Cole was traded by the Arizona Cardinals prior to the 2021 season to the Minnesota Vikings for a sixth round draft pick.
Cole, 25, does provide versatility as he can play center, and guard. Cole is considered a strong run blocker, but an average at best blocker against the pass. Pro Football Focus rated Cole as the 19th best center in football last season. PFF ranked rookie Kendrick Green as the worst center in football, for comparison.
Drafted by Arizona in the third round in 2018 out of Michigan, Cole started all 16 games as a rookie at center for Arizona. He started only 2 games for the Cardinals in 2019, before returning to the starting lineup in 2020 starting 14 games. He split time between guard and center last season for Minnesota starting a total of 6 games. One of those games was against the Steelers while the Vikings beat up on the Steelers defense.
