The Pittsburgh Steelers are making moves on the practice squad, parting ways with a versatile athlete in John Rhys Plumlee-a player who’s worn more hats than most in his short time in the NFL.
Plumlee, who originally signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent out of UCF, was brought in with a unique purpose: to help simulate dual-threat quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Caleb Williams during practice. His athleticism and mobility made him a natural fit for that role. But with roster needs shifting, the Steelers have decided to move on, releasing him to free up space.
This isn’t Plumlee’s first time navigating the NFL carousel. After a stint with the Steelers last season, he caught on with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was elevated to the active roster for his NFL debut in Week 18. While his journey has taken him from quarterback to wide receiver-and even kick returner-Seattle marked the first time a team committed to using him strictly as a receiver.
That transition has been a storyline in itself. Plumlee came into the league determined to play quarterback, and Pittsburgh initially gave him that shot.
During training camp, he was a true utility piece-taking reps under center, lining up out wide, and even fielding kicks. But in today’s NFL, where roster spots are precious and versatility is both a blessing and a challenge, his athletic profile made him more appealing as a wide receiver than a developmental quarterback.
Now, with his release, Plumlee finds himself back on the market. He’s the kind of player coaches love to have in camp-smart, athletic, and willing to do whatever it takes to stick around.
Whether another team sees him as a gadget guy, a return specialist, or a project wideout remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Plumlee’s story in the NFL isn’t over just yet.