Former Michigan center Mason Cole’s stint with Pittsburgh appears to be over.
The Steelers released the 2018 third-round pick Friday, clearing nearly $5 million in cap space heading into free agency.
The 27-year-old had one season remaining on a three-year, $15.7 million contract signed in 2022. He started every game for the Steelers the past two seasons.
Cole spent the first three years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals and started all 16 games as a rookie before playing primarily in a reserve role his second year.
After starting all 14 games he appeared in with the Cardinals in 2020, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 2021 season, where he started seven of 14 games.
At Michigan, Cole started 51 consecutive games from 2015-17 and was a three-time all-Big Ten honoree. The Florida native started his career at tackle before moving to center in 2016.
Pittsburgh has the No. 20 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.
