PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There was a point where Steelers offensive lineman Dylan Cook was a quarterback in college football, Sunday after persevering for four years mostly on practice squads (the last three with the Steelers), Cook played in his first NFL game.
It was with 6:26 to play in the third quarter in Baltimore as Andrus Peat, who was already filling in for starting left tackle Broderick Jones, went into concussion protocol. That opened the door for the 6’6”, 300-pound Cook to protect future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers blind side.
Because of the injury timeout the Butte, Montana native and Grizzlies star said he had a couple of seconds to collect himself and rep a couple of moves and went into the game.
“I felt it was good, definitely ready for the moment, been prepared,” Cook said Monday. “It was good to see it finally come though.”
Elevated to the active roster on Saturday, the 27-year-old just cleared his mind.
“Just play ball, nothing more to it,” Cook said.
While he has played in the preseason, it had been awhile since 2021 when he earned All-Big Sky honors with Montana. In two seasons in Missoula, he started 23 games and was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy, otherwise known as the ‘Academic Heisman’.
He was smart enough to listen to the rest of the offensive line Sunday afternoon, especially 10-year NFL veteran Isaac Seumalo.
“He almost overcommunicates,” Cook said. “I just had to listen what he said and play ball after that.”
After the initial post-game celebration, Cook spent a little time in his thoughts and talking to his family. Nearly four years of wear on his body without an NFL game, finally, in what could be a turning point for the team, he helped the Steelers to a win.
“Could definitely relax a little bit more,” Cook said. “Sets kind of got a little wacky there, a little bit. I feel like that’s nerves. Now going forward, I know I can kind of take a deep breath. I have more time than I think I do when it comes to the ball being snapped. Just kind of settle in.”
Peat remains in concussion protocol, the other veteran tackle, Calvin Anderson, is dealing with a knee injury and unlikely to return this week. Jones is on the Reserve/Injured list and unable to play against Miami. The next chapter in the story of Dylan Cook could be a first ever start on what has long been football’s biggest stage, Monday Night Football.
“Just play ball, nothing more to it.”