Steelers Release John Rhys Plumlee from Practice Squad After Versatile Stint
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released wide receiver and former quarterback John Rhys Plumlee from their practice squad, per the NFL’s official transaction wire. It’s the latest move in what’s been a winding, multi-position journey for the 24-year-old athlete.
Plumlee was re-signed to Pittsburgh’s practice squad on November 18, brought in specifically to help the Steelers prepare for a matchup against the Chicago Bears and their dynamic rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams. With a dual-threat background and elite athleticism, Plumlee offered a scout-team look that could mimic Williams’ mobility and improvisational style.
This wasn’t Plumlee’s first stint in Pittsburgh. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he initially joined the Steelers as a developmental quarterback.
But his time in training camp quickly turned into a crash course in versatility. Pittsburgh experimented with him at wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner - a clear nod to his athletic upside and willingness to adapt.
Despite flashing potential, he was released in August as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season.
Since then, Plumlee has been on the move. He signed a reserve/future deal with the Seattle Seahawks back in January, where his transition from quarterback to wide receiver became official. That change wasn’t just a label - it was a full-on position switch.
“Go to Seattle, and I go to work out and I throw,” Plumlee recalled. “Kind of unknowingly after the workout, they come and ask me what size gloves that I wear.
They said, ‘Congrats, you made the team but you’re in the receiver room.’ So I was like, ‘Alright sweet, I got a job.’”
From there, he dove into learning the nuances of the wide receiver position. He credited Seahawks star DK Metcalf for helping him early in the process, soaking up knowledge from one of the league’s most physically dominant pass-catchers. But the transition wasn’t without its bumps - Plumlee was waived by Seattle on August 26 with an injury designation during the final roster cuts.
The Steelers brought him back into the fold on October 29, signing him to the practice squad. That stint was short-lived - he was waived again on November 4, only to be re-signed less than two weeks later on November 18.
Plumlee’s athletic background has always been part of what makes him intriguing. At Ole Miss, he was a true two-sport athlete, playing both quarterback and wide receiver for the Rebels while also patrolling center field for the school’s baseball team. He later transferred to UCF, returning to quarterback full-time and starting two seasons under Gus Malzahn.
Now, with his release from the Steelers, Plumlee’s NFL journey hits another pause - but if his career so far has shown anything, it’s that he doesn’t stay idle for long. Whether it’s under center, out wide, or returning kicks, Plumlee has proven he’s willing to do whatever it takes to stick around in the league. And with his raw tools and relentless work ethic, another opportunity could be just around the corner.