Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and Co. got back to work immediately after the 2023 NFL Draft concluded Saturday when the undrafted free agency period opened for business.
Before Khan and Tomlin could set foot into the media room at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to wrap up their draft class, the phones were buzzing for a new quarterback.
The Steelers are bringing in Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan to lead the class of seven undrafted free agents, the team announced Sunday morning.
Joining Morgan in the UDFA class are Iowa fullback Monte Pottebaum, San Diego State wide receiver and return specialist Jordan Byrd, Iowa State offensive lineman Trevor Downing, Merrimack defensive end James Nyamwaya, Fresno State linebacker David Perales, and Clemson place-kicker B.T. Potter.
With Mason Rudolph a free agent, the Steelers' lone quarterback behind Kenny Pickett is Mitch Trubisky, who will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2023 season, thus prompting the move for Morgan -- or any quarterback -- before Saturday ended.
The 24-year-old Morgan spent six years at Minnesota and was the Golden Gophers' starting quarterback dating to the 2018 season. He holds program records for wins as a quarterback (33), completion percentage (62.2) and pass efficiency rating (151). His 9,454 passing yards and 65 touchdowns each are second in program history.
In brief, on the rest of the signees:
• Pottebaum played in 45 games and started 13, recording 20 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown in his career as a fullback.
• Byrd received first-team All-Mountain West accolades twice as a kick returner and once as a punt returner.
• Downing was picked to the All-Big 12 second-team by the coaches in 2022 and was a first-team selection by the coaches in 2021.
• Nyamwaya tallied 5.5 sacks in his lone season at the Football Championship Subdivision school Merrimack.
• Perales' 22.5 sacks rank sixth all-time at Fresno State as he was a first-team All-Mountain West selection in 2022.
• Potter made 73 of 97 field goals (75.3%) and 234 of 235 PATs in five seasons at Clemson. He was a two-time semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the best place-kicker in college football.
