Steelers Host Former Panthers QB Jack Plummer for Tryout Amid Roster Shuffle
The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in a familiar face for a look this week, hosting former Carolina Panthers quarterback Jack Plummer for a tryout on Tuesday. While Plummer hasn’t seen regular-season action yet, the Steelers have seen him up close - and not too long ago.
Plummer, 26, was part of the Panthers' 2024 rookie class as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville. He spent the majority of his rookie season on Carolina’s practice squad before being released in August. Since then, he’s been a free agent - but Pittsburgh clearly hasn’t forgotten what he showed during their preseason matchup.
Back in Week 3 of the 2025 preseason, Plummer started against the Steelers at Bank of America Stadium. It wasn’t a flawless outing, but it gave coaches a decent sample of what he could bring to the table. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 48 yards, tossed a touchdown to tight end James Mitchell in the second quarter, and also threw an interception.
The touchdown was a glimpse of his ability to operate in the red zone, finding Mitchell in tight coverage - a play that made the highlight reel and aired on NFL Network. While the stat line didn’t jump off the page, it was enough to leave an impression.
Physically, Plummer fits the mold of a prototypical pocket passer. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 215 pounds, with a frame built for absorbing hits and surveying the field. Originally from Dubuque, Iowa, Plummer has taken a winding road through college football, one that speaks to both his resilience and adaptability.
He began his college career at Purdue, where he earned six starts as a redshirt freshman in 2019. After losing the starting job to Aidan O’Connell in 2020, he still managed to see the field due to injury and played well enough to be named the starter heading into 2021. However, after four games, O’Connell reclaimed the job, prompting Plummer to transfer.
In 2022, he landed at Cal and put together a solid season, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 21 touchdowns. That performance helped him earn a sixth year of eligibility, which he used at Louisville in 2023. There, he started all 14 games and once again threw for over 3,200 yards and 21 scores - showing consistency and durability at the college level.
So why is Pittsburgh kicking the tires now? It could be a couple of things.
The Steelers recently released quarterback/wide receiver John Rhys Plumlee from their practice squad, so they may be looking to fill a scout team spot for the final stretch of the regular season. Another possibility: they’re evaluating candidates for reserve/future contracts ahead of the 2026 offseason.
That process typically begins as soon as the regular season ends, and December workouts are a common way to get a head start.
Plummer wasn’t the only player in town for a look. The Steelers hosted eight others on Tuesday, including former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, ex-Steelers tight end JJ Galbreath, tight end Colin Granger, wide receivers Johnny Johnson, Brandon Smith, and Chris Tyree, as well as running backs Tre Smith and Jordan Waters.
With the Steelers always looking to build out the back end of the roster and develop talent for the future, these workouts are more than just routine. They’re part of the long game - identifying potential contributors before other teams do.
For Plummer, it’s another shot to prove he belongs. He’s got the size, the arm, and a college résumé that shows he can adapt and compete. Whether it leads to a contract or not, the door is open - and in the NFL, that’s all a quarterback needs.