Former Viking Joins 8th Team in 10 Seasons
Dustin Baker
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Make it an even eight franchises in 10 seasons.
Former Viking Joins 8th Team in 10 Seasons
That’s the offseason verdict for former Minnesota Vikings tight end MyCole Pruitt, who joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, on tap to vie for a 53-man roster spot this summer.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted Thursday, “Tight end MyCole Pruitt has agreed to terms with the Steelers, per source. Reunited with Arthur Smith from their Tennessee and Atlanta days.”
Here’s Pruitt’s career resume to date:
- Minnesota Vikings (2015–2016)
- Chicago Bears (2016)
- Buffalo Bills (2017)
- Houston Texans (2017–2018)
- Tennessee Titans (2018–2020)
- San Francisco 49ers (2021)
- Tennessee Titans (2021)
- Atlanta Falcons (2022–2023)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2024—present)
Pruitt, 32, was drafted by the Vikings in 2015, a 5th-Round selection by former general manager Rick Spielman. The Southern Illinois alumnus played 18 games for the Vikings in 2015 and 2016, starting on three occasions.
In the middle of the 2016 season — the year that started white-hot for Minnesota but unceremoniously crumbled after the bye week — Pruitt was demoted to the Vikings practice squad. A month later, Pruitt was released and signed with the Chicago Bears. Since then, the veteran tight end has become a total journeyman.
During his career, the ex-Viking has tallied 71 receptions for 748 yards and 12 touchdowns in 109 games. Pruitt scored 5 touchdowns in the last two seasons with the Falcons, both seasons under Arthur Smith, now the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.
These are the Steelers’ tight ends as of April 5th:
- Pat Freiermuth
- Darnell Washington
- Connor Heyward
- Rodney Williams
- MyCole Pruitt
Pruitt was drafted three spots ahead of former Vikings wideout Stefon Diggs, now a member of the Houston Texans. He was part of the Vikings trade (via draft picks) with the Detroit Lions that sent EDGE rusher Danielle Hunter to Minnesota in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh’s offense ranked 15th in 2023 per DVOA, showcasing a hodgepodge of quarterbacks, including Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitchell Trubisky. But this offseason, Mike Tomlin and Co. totally cleaned house at the position, allowing Rudolph and Trubisky to venture elsewhere via free agency, trading Pickett, and onboarding newcomers Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. If the Steelers could finish 10-7 and reach the postseason with Pickett, Rudolph, and Trubisky at quarterback, the Wilson + Fields combination could actually work.
The Steelers have three other former Vikings on their current roster: Kalon Barnes (CB), Dean Lowry (DT), and Cordarrelle Patterson (RB).
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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