The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make roster moves early in the offseason.
On Thursday, Pittsburgh announced it released defensive end Blake Mangelson via its X account. Mangelson was signed as an UDFA on April 28 and participated in rookie minicamp and the first week of OTAs.
Before signing with the Steelers this offseason, Mangelson accepted an offer to the Minnesota Vikings' rookie minicamp but canceled when Pittsburgh came calling.
The 23-year-old is a monster at 6-5, 279 pounds and played collegiately at BYU. Across four seasons, he posted 82 total tackles with 12 for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and four passes defended.
His release brings the 90-man roster back down to 90 after wideout Montana Lemonious-Craig signed earlier this week, but Pittsburgh is technically allowed 91 players since Julius Welschof has a roster exemption with the NFL International Pathway Program.
The Steelers are expected by some to sign veteran free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so they now have a roster spot open for that, but even if Rodgers decides not to sign, the team has stated they'll add another veteran to compete with Mason Rudolph for the starting job.
It's also possible Pittsburgh re-signs Mangelson at some point this offseason after more cuts or an injury to a defensive lineman necessitates a need.
The team typically retains six or seven on the regular-season 53-man roster, and after Mangelson's release, they currently have 12 with mandatory minicamp beginning on June 10.