The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to move on from a young offensive player who originally entered the league with a unique background. According to a report from KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the team is parting ways with 25-year-old wide receiver John Rhys Plumlee, a former college quarterback who attempted to transition to the NFL as a pass-catcher.

Plumlee’s journey to the professional ranks began in college, where he showcased his skills under center. The Hattiesburg, Mississippi native started his collegiate career at Ole Miss before transferring to UCF in 2022. With the Knights, he completed passes for 4,857 yards, threw 29 touchdowns, and recorded 16 interceptions over two seasons. While UCF earned bowl game appearances in both years, the team fell short of victory each time.

After going undrafted in 2024, Plumlee joined the Steelers and made the switch from quarterback to wide receiver. The position change didn’t immediately pay off, as Pittsburgh released the 6-foot athlete before the start of the 2024-25 regular season. He then had brief stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks before returning to the Steelers last October.

Despite his youth and athletic potential, Plumlee’s career has been marked by instability. He has now been waived four times and has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game. Still, given his college production and versatility, it’s likely he will continue pursuing a roster spot in the league. For now, the Steelers are focusing on building their receiving corps with more established options as they prepare for the upcoming season.