Maurkice Pouncey reportedly planning on retiring after 11 seasons

Following the Pittsburgh Steelers exit from the 2020 NFL postseason, Many got the feeling Steelers center and offensive captain Maurkice Pouncey had possibly played his last NFL game. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh post-Gazette, the speculations are true and Pouncey is planning on retiring after 11 years with the Steelers.

Pouncy was the 18th overall draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 NFL draft. Earning the starting spot in training camp, Pouncy made the Pro Bowl in all nine seasons in which he played more than eight snaps. Pouncey also added All-Pro selections in 2011 and 2014.

Although he was with the Steelers for 11 seasons, Pouncey did not appear in a regular season game in 2015 after being lost for the season due to a foot injury in a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Only two seasons prior, Pouncey was injured on the Steelers first offensive drive of the 2013 season after playing eight snaps against the Tennessee Titans.

Pouncey started all 134 regular season games in which he appeared with the Steelers. He also added eight playoff games over his career. Unfortunately, Pouncey was injured and did not appear in Super Bowl XLV his rookie season.

If Maurkice Pouncey does go through with his decision to retire, he is set to save the Steelers $8 million towards the salary cap. Although the Steelers could technically attempt to recover part of Pouncey’s $6.475 million dead money hit against the salary cap in 2021, it is unlikely they attempt to do so.

On behalf of BTSC, we congratulate Pouncey on a great career in Pittsburgh and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

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