As we’ve done in previous years, we’re taking a look at Pittsburgh Steelers who are on Reserve/Future contracts for the 2026 offseason, as well as what we can expect from them during training camp and (hopefully) into the regular season. Today, an outlook on WR Cole Burgess.
Cole Burgess/WR Cortland – 6’0, 200 pounds
Proof that the NFL finds talent everywhere, Burgess is in the league by way of Cortland University in New York, also known as SUNY Cortland. A D-III school better known for baseball and women’s cross country than its football squad, Burgess helped the school win its first national championship in 2023. A thrilling 38-37 win over North Central, Burgess scored the game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes to play.
His second score of the contest, he finished with 11 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Even against a low level of competition, Burgess’ production can’t be ignored. Dominating the way any NFL hopeful should, he caught 87 passes for 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns during his senior 2023 season. He also handled the team’s kick returns.
Burgess put himself squarely in Cortland’s record books. He’s first all-time in receiving touchdowns, first all-time in receiving yards, and second all-time in receptions. He made sure to grab first place somewhere else in that category; his 87 grabs are the most in a single season by any player.
Despite a Combine invite and impressive testing (4.45 40, 11’5′ broad, 41.5 vert, 21 bench, 6.72 three cone), Burgess wasn’t drafted. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a UDFA in 2024 and caught three passes for 20 yards in the preseason. Sticking on the practice squad and returning in 2025, he caught two passes for seven yards during last year’s exhibition slate. Pittsburgh signed him to a Reserve/Futures deal in January.
In another example of why we celebrate “small school week” with our scouting reports, our Tom Mead wrote up Burgess ahead of the ’24 draft. He lauded Burgess’ body control, hands, and ability to win at all three levels: short, intermediate, and vertical. Negatively, he didn’t play to his gaudy testing and wasn’t potent after the catch. Mead concluded:
“His play on the field didn’t quite match those numbers but he is a solid receiver. He is not NFL-ready, but if he can be stashed away for a year or two on a practice squad to add play strength and work on the basics, he could have a chance to make a roster.
If he develops, he could become an X or slot receiver and perform on special teams. His best fit would be in a quick passing scheme like a West Coast offense.”
Those words have proved true. Burgess has been stuck on practice squads and now finds himself in Mike McCarthy’s West Coast system. Mead even compared Burgess to Jalen Nailor, a fitting link given that new offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio worked with Nailor in Minnesota.
Even with open spots at the end of the depth chart, Burgess has a tough climb. He’ll need to offer a combination of impressive plays on offense with special teams value to do more than make the practice squad again. He’s likely to be part of the kick return lines, and there is no clear No. 2 to play opposite of Kaden Wetjen, though RB Rico Dowdle figures to be in the mix.
In his first two summers, Burgess has had just nine special teams snaps. Eight came on kick return. That’s not enough to warrant a spot on the 53, and Burgess must show multi-unit value if he wants to improve his results.
If he appears in an NFL game, he’ll be just the second player from Cortland to do so. The late defensive lineman R-Kal Truluck made 41 appearances in the early-mid 2000s. Cortland has at least another notable name in the NFL ranks. Cincinnati Bengals’ OC Dan Pitcher is also from Cortland, and you have to wonder if that connection got Burgess in the door to the Bengals originally. Now, it’s time for Burgess to knock that door down.
Recommended for you