Steelers Release former Penn State QB Trace McSorley

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley from their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday.

McSorley, 28, was signed by the Steelers on Dec. 4 while starter Kenny Pickett was dealing with a high ankle sprain. Pickett is now fully healthy and is expected to once again dress as the backup to Mason Rudolph. Mitch Trubisky, who served as Josh Allen’s backup in Buffalo in 2021, will more than likely run the scout team this week.

Before joining the Steelers, McSorley had been with the Chicago Bears practice squad earlier this season but was released on Nov. 21. He also spent time this offseason with the New England Patriots.

The 6-foot, 210-pound Virginia native was a sixth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. He spent three seasons in Baltimore and two more with the Arizona Cardinals. He saw the most extensive playing time of his career in Arizona last year, when he appeared in six games, completing 45 of 83 passes (54.2%) for 412 yards (5.0 yards per attempt), no touchdowns, five interceptions and a 42.8 passer rating.

A three-star prospect out of Briar Woods High School in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Ashburn, Virginia, McSorely matriculated to Penn State in 2015. He won the starting job as a sophomore in 2016 and had his best statistical season, when he threw for 3,614 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl appearance.

McSorley was a three-year starter before turning pro and finished his time at Penn State with 9,899 yards, 77 touchdowns, 25 interceptions and a 144.5 passer rating.

The Steelers made two other practice squad movs on Tuesday, releasing safety Nate Meadors and re-signing outside linebacker David Perales. The team has one open spot on the 16-man squad.