dq. 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”
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.
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.
