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Just One Hour After Being Released by Steelers, Talented Rookie QB With 8,394 Career Yards Shockingly Expresses Desire to Return — Ready to Sign a “Lifetime Deal” to Chase Super Bowl Glory

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 12/17/2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to move on from John Rhys Plumlee came quietly, the kind of late-season depth move that often passes without much notice. But less than one hour later, the story took an unexpected turn. The physically gifted rookie quarterback, owner of 8,394 total yards in his college career, publicly voiced his desire to return to Pittsburgh, even expressing a willingness to commit long-term if given the chance.

Plumlee, 24, is not easily defined by a single position. Signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft, he served as the team’s fourth quarterback during training camp while also being tested as a wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner. Pittsburgh saw him as a true athlete — fast, explosive, and versatile — even as his path to a permanent NFL role remained uncertain.

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After being released by the Steelers in August 2024, Plumlee bounced between the Jaguars and the Seahawks. In Seattle, he made the rare decision to fully transition from quarterback to wide receiver in order to compete for a roster spot, a move that highlighted his willingness to adapt at any cost. Though he was ultimately waived with an injury designation during final cuts, the experience reshaped how Plumlee viewed both his career and his purpose in the league.

When the Steelers brought him back to the practice squad in late October and re-signed him again on November 18, many around the league viewed it as a temporary solution for practice preparation. For Plumlee, however, Pittsburgh was never just another stop.

“Pittsburgh isn’t just where I was given an opportunity — it’s where my heart belongs,” Plumlee said. “This is where I learned who I have to be to survive in the NFL. If I’m given the chance to come back, I’d sign a lifetime contract, not for a role or a title, but because I believe this is the team that can take me to the Super Bowl.”

As the Steelers continue searching for long-term stability at quarterback, Plumlee’s words strike at the core of what the franchise has long valued: competition, resilience, and refusal to quit. He isn’t asking for a starting job or special treatment. His message is simple — he just wants a door left open.

The Steelers have not issued an official response. But in a league where depth, versatility, and mentality often define late-season success, the door on John Rhys Plumlee may not be fully closed. And sometimes, the road to the Super Bowl doesn’t begin with a blockbuster contract — it begins with a player who refuses to disappear.

Just 1 Hour After Learning He's No Longer in the Plans, Cowboys' $91.8 Million Star Right Tackle Is Ready to Restructure His Contract — Just for One More Chance to Play in Dallas Blue
Dallas, Texas – December 23, 2025 The message arrived quickly and without ambiguity. Just one hour after receiving clear signals that he was no longer part of the team’s long-term plans, Terence Steele chose a response rarely seen in today’s NFL: he voluntarily expressed willingness to restructure his $91.8 million contract, with one goal in mind — to continue wearing the Dallas Cowboys uniform. The move comes as the Dallas Cowboys undergo a significant shift along the offensive line. Coaches have confirmed that Tyler Smith will remain at left tackle over the final two games, while Tyler Guyton is expected to serve only as a swing tackle — a clear signal that Dallas is preparing for a future without Steele at right tackle. Combined with an “easy out” in Steele’s contract in 2026, his name has quickly surfaced among potential cap casualties. Rather than wait in silence for a decision, Steele chose to speak — not in protest, but in commitment. “If the team no longer sees me as the first option, I’m willing to step back,” Steele said. “I can restructure my deal, accept any role, even start from the bench — as long as I can stay here and be ready when the Cowboys need me. Dallas isn’t just where I play; it’s where my heart truly belongs.” What makes Steele’s stance resonate even more is what he has already given Dallas. An undrafted free agent in 2020, Steele defied the odds to become a full-time starter, logging over 5,000 career offensive snaps, protecting the edge in some of the league’s most pass-heavy offenses. At his peak, Steele started every game in back-to-back seasons, helped anchor a line that ranked top five in pass protection efficiency, and played a key role in Dallas finishing among the NFL’s top offenses in total yards and scoring. Teammates routinely cite his toughness — playing through injuries, rarely missing time, and lining up against elite edge rushers week after week. For the Cowboys, the dilemma is complex. The franchise must protect the blindside of Dak Prescott while also creating cap flexibility for a looming retooling process. Steele’s willingness to sacrifice financially could open another path — or at the very least, force decision-makers to pause before closing the door entirely on a proven veteran. No one knows yet whether Steele’s message will alter the final outcome. But in a league often driven by numbers, his response offered something different: loyalty expressed through action. In Dallas — where legacies are built on more than just contracts and depth charts — Terence Steele has reminded the Cowboys of a simple truth. Sometimes, a player’s greatest value isn’t found on a balance sheet, but in his willingness to stay, sacrifice, and fight for the star when the path forward suddenly narrows.