When Cole Holcomb signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, he had the distinction of being the only player on the roster who sported a particularly unique hairstyle.
Now that organized team activities have started, the inside linebacker has some competition.
Since Holcomb’s arrival, the team has signed undrafted rookie fullback Monte “The Mullet” Pottebaum — whose nickname is appropriately telling — and the fruits of long snapper Christian Kuntz’s labor to grow a mullet (he said he started his in November) are beginning to show.
“Yeah,” Holcomb said with a chuckle, “everyone’s trying to buy my swag.”
As of Thursday, Holcomb is three organized team activities sessions into his Steelers tenure. A five-year NFL veteran inside linebacker, he couldn’t be happier.
“It’s awesome,” Holcomb said from the locker room of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “I love the guys, I love this organization. I think we’ve got the pieces around here, great coaching staff. It gets me excited.”
Holcomb, though, confirmed that he has not been a full participant in workouts. Holcomb had season-ending foot surgery in December while playing for the Washington Commanders.
Still, he was emphatic that sitting out any reps now was more precautionary than anything and that he would be a full participant by the time the Steelers report to Saint Vincent in late July.
“Don’t worry — I will be ready,” Holcomb said. “I will be ready for camp.”
His first visit to Heinz Field is as fuzzy as his mullet. Cole Holcomb looks to create better ones now that he’s playing for the Steelers. https://t.co/w5luQ0pl3p
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) March 23, 2023
Rookie WR signed
The wide receivers corps was one man larger for Thursdays OTAs after the addition of undrafted rookie Cody Chrest. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Chrest had initially signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was released nine days after the draft ended when the team signed some of the tryouts from its rookie minicamp.
Chrest played the past three seasons at Sam Houston State after beginning his career at Harvard. Chrest had 131 catches for 1,715 yards and nine touchdowns in 31 games for Sam Houston state. He also had a 24-yard return among 10 punt return tries.
Colts' UDFA Cody Chrest (Sam Houston State) is a lot of fun to watch on film. Extremely similar to Alec Pierce in a lot of ways pic.twitter.com/5UX71KGF5Q
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) May 3, 2023
Ogunjobi takes part
A video posted by the official Twitter account of the Steelers confirmed that Larry Ogunjobi was at OTAs on Thursday. It had been reported earlier in the week that the veteran defensive lineman was absent from what are voluntary workouts.
Ogunjobi, who turns 29 next week, signed a three-year, $28.75 million contract extension with the Steelers in March. Last year, he spent his sixth NFL season with the Steelers on a one-year deal after having foot surgery in January 2022.
Ogunjobi’s veteran status in conjunction with that recent injury history made it rare that he was a full practice participant late last season.
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Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at cadamski@triblive.com or via Twitter .
