PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburg Steelers released veteran center Mason Cole on Friday, creating nearly $5 million in salary cap space.

Cole had one year left on the three-year, $15.75 million deal he signed in spring of 2022. He had issues snapping in shotgun formation and clearly would have cost more than the Steelers were willing to pay him in 2024. Now they will head into free agency and the NFL draft looking for a starter at the position.

Cole started all 34 regular-season games for Pittsburgh over the last two seasons, as well as the team’s wild-card game in 2023. He spent three years in Arizona after the Cardinals drafted him in the third round in 2018 and spent one years in Minnesota.

He was scheduled to count $6.27 million against the cap. By cutting him now, the Steelers will save $4.75 million.

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