Steelers Cut Ties with Longtime Scout

MOBILE, Ala. — The Pittsburgh Steelers have parted ways with longtime scout Dave Petett, according to a report by Neil Stratton of Inside the League.

Stratton reported that Petett’s contract with the Steelers had expired and will not be renewed. Petett had been a holdover from Kevin Colbert’s front of office and even recently earned a promotion. Petett had been a college scout, but was promoted to assistant director of pro scouting under Sheldon White in 2022.

Previously to his current assignment, Petett spend three years as the team’s northeast area scout. Before that, he was the team’s West Coast BLESTO scout.

Stratton said the timing of the move was to allow Petett to catch on with another team before the 2024 NFL Draft.

A Pittsburgh native, Petett attended Shady Side Academy and played football at Lehigh, where he was a starter at defensive tackle and was an honorable mention FCS All-American in 2000. Petett spent one season as a student assistant at Wisconsin in 2003 before joining the Steelers as an intern in 2004. 

Petett’s departure follows the exit of longtime scout Mark Gorscak last year. The team hired three new college scouts in 2023: former Philadelphia Eagles scout Jim Ward, former Oakland Raiders fullback Zack Crockett and former Carnegie Mellon quarterback Jarrod Highberger.

Gorscak now works as a scout for the Senior Bowl, where the Steelers, including Petett, were in attendance on Tuesday.