Steelers All 90: Mason Cole Looks to Carry Momentum into 2023

Following Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement in 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kendrick Green to be his successor. After just one season, the Steelers moved on from that plan when they signed Mason Cole to a three-year contract.

In his first season as a Steeler, Cole powered through injuries in order to start all 17 games at center for the team in 2022. Pro Football Focus rated Cole as the 12th-best starting center in 2022. The 11 centers ahead of him all committed more penalties than Cole as he only finished with one all season.

In addition to being an ironman, Cole developed into a leader of the offensive line which was something he strived to become for the Steelers. To show how good of a leader he wants to be, Cole stated that there is even more room for him to grow in that aspect, especially being a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I think there’s always room for improvement in every part of the game whether it be physical, mental or even the leadership aspect,” Cole said. “So, I think I can be better in that aspect. It comes with the position. And then when you sign a new contract here, it comes with it a little more too. Just being an older guy in the room, even though I don’t feel that old. In our offensive line room, I would be one of the more experienced guys, along with Chuks (Chukwuma Okorafor) and James (Daniels). It just came naturally.”

The offensive line, like the offense itself, got better as the season went along in 2022. Cole believes that the offensive line can carry that momentum into 2023 and said that while the team did not make the playoffs last season, the strides they made down the stretch are encouraging.

“I feel good about the offensive line play and how we ended the season,” said Cole. “It felt good to end the season the right way. If we would have lost the last couple of games, it wouldn’t have felt right. Obviously, we wanted to be in the playoffs, but it feels good now to carry that momentum through the offseason and into the next season.”

While the team signed a couple of offensive linemen this offseason including Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig, Cole’s role on the Steelers line should be unchanged. After starting every game of the season with consistent play, the Steelers feel like they found the solution to the problem they had after Pouncey’s departure. Mike Tomlin even praised Cole’s play and communication after the season.

“Man, he’s a sharp guy,” said Tomlin of Cole. “He brings a can-do attitude. He’s a winner in his approach to ball. He’s a good communicator. His football intellect is really solid and it’s helpful at that position in terms of the identification of protections and picking up the blitz game.”

After escaping the “journeyman” title, Cole and the Steelers are happy with the outcome of the three-year commitment they both agreed to last offseason.

61 • Mason Cole, Center, Michigan
6-foot-5, 298 pounds, 27 years old, 6th Season

Acquired: The Steelers signed Cole to a three-year contract on March 14, 2023, after his contract with the Minnesota Vikings expired following the 2022 season.

Last Year: Cole signed a three-year contract with the Steelers prior to the 2022 season and started all 17 games at center for the team. In his first season in Pittsburgh, Cole played a career-high 1,114 offensive snaps as he allowed just two sacks and committed one penalty.

Pro Football Focus gave Cole his highest pass-blocking game grade (84.3) in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints as he played a season-high 84 snaps and did not allow a single quarterback pressure.

Steelers center Mason Cole (61) runs out of the tunnel at Acrisure Stadium prior to a regular season game.

Career: The Arizona Cardinals drafted Cole with the 97th overall pick in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Cole started all 16 games at center for the Cardinals. On 942 snaps at the position, Cole allowed two sacks and committed three penalties.

Entering the 2019 season, Cole lost his starting job and became an interior swingman for the center and guard positions. He appeared in all 16 games and started two at left guard. On 211 snaps between left guard, right guard, and center, Cole allowed only one sack and committed one penalty. Cole became the fourth Cardinals’ rookie offensive lineman to start all 16 games in a season.

In 2020, Cole regained the starting center position and started 14 games for the Cardinals. He played 913 snaps while allowing two sacks and committing a career-high eight penalties.

Prior to the 2021 season, Cole was traded to the Vikings for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick. He appeared in 14 games while starting four games at center and three at right guard before suffering a season-ending elbow injury. Pro Football Focus gave Cole the highest rating (69.7) of his career in 2021.

Cole has appeared in 77 games in the NFL while recording 56 starts.

College: After being a four-year starter in high school, Cole committed to the University of Michigan. As a true freshman, Cole started all 12 games at left tackle for the Wolverines. He played 767 offensive snaps and allowed five sacks. Cole was the first Michigan true freshman to ever start a season opener on the offensive line.

In 2015, Cole started all 13 games at left tackle for the second straight season. He played a career-high 832 offensive snaps in 2015. In the season, Cole allowed four sacks and committed four penalties. Pro Football Focus gave Cole the highest grade of his Michigan career with an 80.5 rating.

Prior to the 2016 season, Cole switched to the center position where he started all 13 games as a junior. Cole manned the center position well as he did not allow a sack all season and committed just one penalty. Following the season, Cole was honored with being named second-team All-Big Ten.

In 2017, Cole switched back to left tackle and started all 14 games for the Wolverines. Cole was named second-team All-Big Ten for the second time in 2017.

In total, Cole started all 52 games of his Michigan career including 39 at left tackle and 13 at center.

Salary cap and future: Cole is entering the second year of his three-year contract with the Steelers and will cost $6.92 million against the team’s 2023 cap space. Of his $6.92 million cap hit, $3.9 million is in base salary and $2.52 million is in bonus money.

Cole is signed through the conclusion of the 2024 season when he will become an unrestricted free agent.

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