Tuesday was a disappointing day for two of the most important players in Penn State’s 2016 Big Ten championship run.
The Arizona Cardinals released backup quarterback Trace McSorley, and the Pittsburgh Steelers did the same with linebacker Marcus Allen.
#Steelers have acquired OL Jesse Davis from the Minnesota Vikings for a conditional 7th-round pick.
They have also released OT Trent Scott and ILB Marcus Allen, in addition to previously reported cuts.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 30, 2022
Allen has been with the Steelers since he left Penn State after the 2017 season after being selected in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He was also cut by the Steelers before the 2019 campaign, but has stayed around the organization.
After spending most of 2019 on the practice squad, he moved to inside linebacker in 2020.
Thanks to injuries, Allen took on an increased role and started two games.
Last season, he became a regular on special teams and ended up playing in 16 of the Steelers’ 18 games and also seeing time at inside linebacker.
Before coming to the Steelers, Allen played safety at Penn State, with his most famous play being his blocked field goal against Ohio State in 2016 that Grant Haley picked up and returned for the game-winning touchdown of Penn State’s biggest win under James Franklin to date.
Allen finished his career at Penn State with the fifth most tackles in school history. His last season in Happy Valley was his best one, as he earned third team All-America honors and made first-team All-Big Ten. In his last game, Allen was named Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP, helping Penn State to a win over Washington.
Although he didn’t make the Steelers’ 53-man roster, it’s likely that he’ll stay with the team on it’s practice squad, same with McSorley on the Cardinals.
Allen signed a restricted free agent tender with the Steelers over the offseason. After 2022, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
