Steelers QB John Rhys Plumlee ‘Trying to Provide Value’ in Any Form Possible
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee as an undrafted free agent to round out their quarterback room. While Plumlee is the team’s fourth quarterback, the 23 year old brings a unique set of athletic skills to the team.
His ability to play quarterback shined in OTAs when he found Deuce Watts on a fade route down the sideline and then his ability to be an athlete popped when he scored a touchdown on a quarterback draw in the team’s seven-shots drill.
“It was fun,” Plumlee told reporters at the team’s minicamp in June. “I love playing so when I get the opportunity to do that, I try to make the most of it. At the end of the day, it is a ton of fun when you are able to get out there. I had some success early. I hit a big-time play with Deuce [Watts] down the field on an inside fade, big-time by him.”
It was not all sunshine and rainbows for Plumlee though as he and the rest of the offense struggled at times, especially in the red zone when the defense was bringing pressure while playing cover zero.
“Started coming up short when [the defense] started giving us some zero down there which was expected,” Plumlee said. “Got to pitch and catch a little bit better but as far as getting to do it, it was really fun.”
Throughout the Steelers mandatory minicamp and OTAs, Plumleee practiced at a multitude of different positions including quarterback, tight end and as a returner on special teams.
With such an outside shot of making the final roster as the fourth quarterback, Plumlee, a two-sport athlete in college, is using his athletic ability to showcase his worth which is the ability to be available.
“They say the biggest ability is availability,” Plumlee said. “I am really trying to provide value in any way whether it’s special teams, returning punts or returning kicks, whether it is supporting Russ [Wilson] or supporting Justin [Fields], competing in that room, trying to get better, learning from those guys.”
The reason that Plumlee is going so hard in practice and getting work in at multiple positions is because he is living his dream of being in the NFL and wants to do anything possible to stick around.
“I am really trying to expand my role,” Plumlee said. “They say never look over you role because I dreamed about being here so I am trying to make the most of it while having fun with it.”
While he learns special teams, he is a quarterback first and foremost. Being in a room full of veterans has given Plumlee all of the help that he needs. Plumlee stated that learning from football-rich guys like Wilson, Fields and Kyle Allen is a fantastic positive of playing for the Steelers.
“Those guys are awesome,” Plumlee said “I think that if you are an NFL quarterback then you are a football junkie. Just being able to get little nuggets here and there off of those guys. … I think experience is your best teacher and those guys have it so to be able to learn from them is awesome.”
Plumlee will be given a chance to showcase his ability in training camp but as an undrafted first-year quarterback, his likely landing spot is on the practice squad where he can be a versatile piece of the scout team.
18 • John Rhys Plumlee, Quarterback, Central Florida
6-foot-0, 203 pounds, 23 years old, 1st Season
Acquired: The Steelers signed John Rhys Plumlee as a priority undrafted free agent which meant that he received a three-year deal with the team. He signed with the Steelers on April 27, 2024.
Last season: As a fifth-year senior, John Rhys Plumlee started 10 games for the Knights at quarterback. He completed 62.9% of his passes for 2,271 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 505 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
College: John Rhys Plumlee was a four-star recruit coming out of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and chose his home-state Ole Miss Rebels over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Notre dame and others.
Plumlee played football and baseball for the Rebels, and saw early playing time as a freshman in 2019 while filling in for an injured Matt Corral, but never earned the starting quarterback gig. In 2021, he moved to wide receiver and caught 19 passes for 201 yards before entering the transfer portal.
He ended up at UCF and back at quarterback, winning the starting job for the Knights, and continuing to play baseball. In two seasons at UCF, he posted back-to-back 2,000-yard campaigns while maintaining a 135.3 passer rating.
In 2022, he threw 346 times, completing 218 (63%) for 2,586 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. This past fall, he threw 256 times, completing 161 (62.9%) for 2,271 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while being limited to 10 games.
Over his five years in college, Plumlee played in 52 games and logged 33 starts. He finished with 34 career passing touchdowns and 19 interceptions. On the ground, Plumlee accumulated 2,556 yards and 28 touchdowns including a 1,000 yard rushing season in 2019.
| Year | School | GP | GS | CMP | ATT | CMP % | YDS | TDs | INTs |
| 2019 | Ole Miss | 9 | 8 | 79 | 150 | 52.7 | 910 | 4 | 3 |
| 2020 | Ole Miss | 7 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 71.4 | 65 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | Ole Miss | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | UCF | 13 | 13 | 218 | 346 | 63 | 2,586 | 14 | 8 |
| 2023 | UCF | 10 | 10 | 161 | 256 | 62.9 | 2,271 | 15 | 8 |
Salary cap and future: Due to John Rhys Plumlee being a priority free agent, his deal will keep him in Pittsburgh through the end of the 2026 season. Plumlee’s cap hit in 2024 will be $806,666 if he makes the team’s final roster. That cap hit includes a base salary of $795,000 and a signing bonus of $11,666.
If the Steelers decide to release Plumlee at any point of the season, they will experience a cap relief of $771,666 and a dead money penalty of $35,000.
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