The Pittsburgh Steelers have shuffled around their offensive line many times over the past decade. With numerous different players rotating through various positions, it has been difficult for the unit to find consistent chemistry or stability. However, 2025 feels like the first season in years that the Steelers will enter with multiple returning starters on the offensive line, giving the team a sense of continuity. Recently, one former Steelers offensive lineman reflected on his playing days in Pittsburgh and explained what ultimately influenced his decision to step away from football.
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Mason Cole playing for the Steelers during the 2023 NFL season.
The Steelers signed Mason Cole before the 2022 season, bringing in a veteran center to help lead a group that was still very young and still trying to figure things out. Cole was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Michigan. He spent three years in Arizona before playing one season with the Minnesota Vikings prior to his arrival to the Steel City. He wasn’t a household name or a flashy signing at the time, but for Pittsburgh, he represented something they desperately needed; stability in the middle of the offensive line.
Cole started in all 17 games in both seasons he played in Pittsburgh, never missing a game. He was an anchor for a young Steelers offensive line that had gone through plenty of ups and downs. Even though he gave Pittsburgh steady play, Cole’s performance started to slip during the 2023 season. The offensive line overall showed flashes, but still struggled to create the dominance the Steelers have been known for in past decades. After the season ended, the Steelers would release Cole.
For Cole, the 2023 season was the last time he played in the NFL. On a recent episode of the Chipped Ham And Football podcast with Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Cole opened up about his thought process and explained why he decided it was time to hang up the cleats.
"I loved my time here in Pittsburgh, but after that [2023] season, I didn't have a great season, I wasn't playing well," said Cole. "I got released, kind of debated for a few months if I was going to keep playing or not. My heart was kind of out of it; I wasn't 100%," said Cole.
That is the reality that a lot of NFL players face. Football takes an incredible toll on the body and mind, and players often lose the love that they once had for the game.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mason Cole (61) points out someone on defense in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cole explained that while he still had chances to continue his career, he knew it just didn’t feel right.
"I had some offers to go play, and I didn't feel it was right if I wasn't 100% into it," said Cole. "Just kind of worn out, and just decided to hang it up. I was still healthy, still young, and it felt like it was a good time."
Cole was the recipient of The Chief Award in 2022, an award established in the honor of Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., and given to a member of the organization who best embodies the spirit of cooperation with the media.
Mason Cole Gives Praise To Young Steelers Center Zach Frazier
The Steelers drafted Cole's replacement in Zach Frazier with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of West Virginia, and Frazier has quickly turned into one of the most promising centers in the entire league.
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Steelers center Zach Frazier gets ready to snap the football during training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Frazier started 15 games his rookie season, and has been one of the few bright spots on what has been a very inconsistent Steelers offensive line. When asked about his opinions of his replacement, Cole had nothing but good things to say about Frazier.
"I don't know him well, but just from the outside, he's a really good football player," said Cole. Everything I've heard about him has been nothing but good, in terms of leader, player, and how he goes about himself. I think the Steelers are in a really good spot with him."
Although Cole's time in Pittsburgh didn't last very long, he gave the Steelers all he had, and displaying his admiration for not only Frazier, but the Steelers organization itself shows the kind of player and teammate that he was.
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