Steelers waive 2023 draftee

As Mike McCarthy takes over as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he is trying to craft the roster in his vision. For a former 2023 draft pick, that meant his time in Pittsburgh is over.

The Steelers have waived cornerback Cory Trice, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN. His release came with a failed physical designation.

Injuries plagued Trice during his time with the Steelers. He tore his ACL during his first training camp. Then, hamstring injuries forced him to be placed on injured reserve in both 2024 and 2025. As Pittsburgh prepares for their offseason program, it appears as if Trice still wasn’t fully healthy.

The former seventh-round pick ended up appearing in six games – starting one – with the franchise, all during the 2024 season. Trice put up 21 tackles, two passes defended and an interception.

Even if Trice were to have stuck around, it may have been difficult for him to make the final roster. The Steelers already had Joey Porter Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr. on their roster. Then, they signed Jamel Dean in free agency before selecting Daylen Everette in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh knows their secondary must improve if they want to reach the playoffs in 2026. During their 2025 campaign, the Steelers ranked 29th overall in pass defense, allowing 243.9 yards per game.

Trice will no longer be able to try and help Pittsburgh turn things around though. He will try to look for opportunities outside the organization, but first things first, the cornerback must get fully healthy. If that were the case, it’s fair to wonder if Trice would’ve gotten another opportunity with the Steelers.

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