Steelers Sign former Penn State Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former Penn State quarterback Tre McSorley to their practice squad, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

McSorley, 28, 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.

The Steelers are in need of a quarterback after starter Kenny Pickett suffered a right high ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. Pickett had surgery in Monday and is expected to miss multiple weeks.

Mitch Trubisky will start in his place, with Mason Rudolph serving as the club’s backup. The Steelers have had three quarterbacks active for every game this season, so McSorley should probably be expected to be a game-day elevation from the practice squad.

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.

dThe Steelers will need to make a move to clear a space on their practice squad for McSorley.