Penn State Great Trace McSorley Signs with Steelers

Former Penn State QB Trace McSorley has signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Monday afternoon.

McSorley has been bouncing around the NFL since being drafted in the sixth round in 2019. 

He’s played with the Ravens (2019-21), Cardinals (2021-22), Patriots (2023 preseason) and Bears (2023 practice squad.)

He saw the most extensive playing time of his career in Arizona last year, when he appeared in six games, completing 45 of 83 passes (54.2%) for 412 yards (5.0 yards per attempt), no touchdowns, five interceptions and a 42.8 passer rating.

McSorley was the QB of that Penn State team and, over his three seasons as the starter, became one of the most popular players in school history. He was the team’s starting quarterback from 2016-18, breaking multiple school records including for touchdowns and passing yards. Both of these records were surpassed by McSorley’s successor, Sean Clifford.

Trace McSorley is the most recent quarterback to beat Ohio State. He was in charge when PSU got that legendary 24-21 win in 2016 in which the signature play— maybe of the James Franklin era— was Marcus Allen’s blocked kick that turned into Grant Haley’s game-winning touchdown.

The Steelers are in need of a quarterback after starter Kenny Pickett suffered a right high ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. Pickett had surgery Monday and is expected to miss multiple weeks.

Mitch Trubisky will start in his place, with Mason Rudolph serving as the club’s backup. The Steelers have had three quarterbacks active for every game this season, so McSorley should probably be expected to be a game-day elevation from the practice squad.