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Pittsburgh Steelers Issue Final Decision on the Future of Cornerback Cory Trice with Over 2,000 Career Snaps. Head Coach Mike Tomlin Admits: “This Is the Hardest Decision of My Life.”

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 21/11/2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially closed the door on a deeply unfortunate chapter. confirming that cornerback Cory Trice will not be activated before the end of his 21-day practice window. As a result. he reverts to the injured reserve list and will miss the entire 2025 season. Once again. injuries have halted the path of a player once viewed as a hidden gem in Pittsburgh’s secondary.

Trice possesses the kind of physical profile defensive coordinators dream about: 6-foot-3. over 200 pounds. long reach. and a press-man skillset that turned heads during his time at Purdue. Many scouts once praised him as having “the frame of a rare shutdown corner.” His college résumé strengthened that belief. logging more than 1,800 defensive snaps. 106 tackles. 5 interceptions and 20 passes defensed. Unfortunately. that talent never had the chance to fully translate to the NFL stage.

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The 2024 season once offered a rare glimpse of what could have been. In just six games. Trice recorded 20 tackles. two passes defensed and an interception — enough to make the Steelers believe they might have uncovered a long-term contributor. But injuries returned and extinguished that hope just as quickly.

During an emotional press conference. head coach Mike Tomlin spoke openly about the decision he was forced to make.

“This is the hardest decision of my life. because we’re not just looking at a player. we’re looking at a young man who fought to keep his dream alive through every setback. Cory has everything it takes to be a star. but in the NFL. you have to be on the field to write the next chapter — and that. unfortunately. is something he just couldn’t control.”

An ACL tear in college dropped him to the seventh round of the NFL Draft. His rookie year ended with another ACL tear. The next two seasons were filled with knee and hamstring injuries. Of the 51 possible games since being drafted. he appeared in just six.

The Steelers have not announced a formal release. but every sign points in one direction: Cory Trice’s journey in Pittsburgh has reached its end. Another team may take a chance on his rare physical upside. but that opportunity almost certainly won’t happen in the Steel City.

It’s a heartbreaking end for a player once considered “a gamble worth taking.” and a sobering reminder that in the NFL. talent may inspire hope — but health decides everything.

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.