Dylan Cook

Dylan Cook Bio

Dylan Cook (born January 11, 1998) is an American professional football offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He plays the tackle position and has appeared in five NFL games with four starts throughout his professional career. Cook spent his college years playing football at Montana State–Northern and the University of Montana before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

Early Life and Background

Dylan Cook was born on January 11, 1998, in Butte, Montana, United States. He attended Butte High School in his hometown, where he played as a quarterback during his high school career. As a senior at Butte High School, Cook threw for 3,124 yards, demonstrating his athletic ability and arm talent at the prep level.

After graduating from Butte High School, Cook initially joined the Montana State–Northern Lights program, which competed in the National Association of Intercolleg atletics (NAIA). He saw limited playing time across the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the Lights, appearing primarily at quarterback while also contributing as a long snapper. Cook completed 11-of-18 pass attempts for 181 yards with two touchdown passes during his time with Montana State–Northern.

Path to American Football

Following his two seasons at the NAIA level, Cook made a significant transition in his football career. He transferred to the University of Montana as a walk-on player and made the rare position switch from quarterback to the offensive line. Due to transfer rules, he was required to sit out his first season with the Grizzlies, using that time to learn his new position and adapt to the physical demands of playing on the offensive line.

Cook impressed the Montana coaching staff during his transition period and was awarded an athletic scholarship prior to the 2019 season. He appeared in 13 games that year, starting 11 of them at right tackle. The COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season saw him play just two games, but he returned as a full-time starter for his final collegiate season in fall 2021. Phil Steele selected him as a fourth-team all-conference performer that year. Cook finished his Montana career with 27 games played, 23 as a starter, all at the right tackle position.

Dylan Cook Career

Early Career (2022)

After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Dylan Cook signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. His path to the active roster proved challenging, as he was waived during the final roster cuts before being signed to the practice squad. Cook remained on the Buccaneers practice squad throughout much of his rookie season, though he was released on December 6, 2022, and returned to the practice squad later that month on December 27.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2022–2023)

Cook signed a reserve/future contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 17, 2023, giving him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into the 2023 season. However, he was waived on May 15, 2023, before the start of the regular season. This roster move marked the end of his tenure with the Buccaneers organization after one calendar year.

Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–Present)

After being waived by the Buccaneers, Cook signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 18, 2023. He successfully made the Steelers final roster to begin the 2023 season, though he did not appear in any games that year. Cook was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, and later released on October 31. He was re-signed to the Steelers practice squad on November 4, demonstrating the transactional nature of NFL roster management.

Cook signed another reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh on January 14, 2025. He was waived again on August 26, 2025, but rejoined the practice squad. His breakthrough came on December 7, 2025, when he made his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens, replacing an injured Andrus Peat at left tackle. Cook was signed to the active roster on December 10 and became the Steelers starting left tackle for the remainder of the season in Peat’s absence. This opportunity marked his first significant playing time in the NFL.

Playing Style and Strengths

At 6 feet 6 inches and 305 pounds, Dylan Cook possesses the size and length NFL teams seek in offensive tackle prospects. His background as a quarterback who transitioned to the offensive line gives him unique footwork and agility skills compared to players who have played the position their entire careers. Cook developed his technique at the University of Montana, where his experience as a multi-position player helped him understand offensive schemes from multiple perspectives.

Notable Events and Milestones

Cook’s most significant professional milestone came in December 2025 when he made his NFL regular-season debut against the Baltimore Ravens. The opportunity arose due to an injury to starting left tackle Andrus Peat, and Cook’s performance earned him a promotion from the practice squad to the active roster. He subsequently became the Steelers starting left tackle for the remainder of the season, a notable achievement for a player who had spent most of his first three NFL seasons on practice squads and injured reserve.

Dylan Cook Career Statistics

Cook has appeared in five NFL games with four starts throughout his professional career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. His first meaningful playing time came in the 2025 season with Pittsburgh, where he took over as the starting left tackle late in the year. In college at Montana, Cook played 27 games with 23 starts over three seasons after his transfer from Montana State-Northern.

College Highlights

At the University of Montana, Cook established himself as a reliable starting right tackle over three seasons. His best season came in 2021 when he earned fourth-team all-conference honors from Phil Steele as a full-time starter. He appeared in 27 total games with the Grizzlies, providing consistency at a critical offensive line position. Prior to Montana, Cook gained experience at the NAIA level with Montana State-Northern, where he played quarterback and long snapper while completing 11-of-18 pass attempts for 181 yards with two touchdowns.

Professional Statistics

Through the 2025 NFL season, Cook has played in five professional games with four starts. He made his NFL debut on December 7, 2025, against the Baltimore Ravens, entering the game at left tackle due to an injury to Andrus Peat. He was promoted to the active roster on December 10 and started the remaining games of the season at the vital left tackle position for the Steelers.

Dylan Cook Family

Family Background and Montana Roots

Dylan Cook grew up in Butte, Montana, where he attended Butte High School. His upbringing in the Montana sports community provided him with opportunities to develop his athletic abilities in football and other sports. The transition from Butte High School quarterback to college offensive lineman reflects his willingness to adapt and pursue opportunities at the next level.

Personal Life

Cook continues his football career in the NFL after beginning in his home state of Montana. His path from a small-town Montana high school to Division I football and ultimately to the NFL demonstrates perseverance through the challenges of being an undrafted player. As of 2025, he remains active with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Dylan Cook with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After spending parts of the previous two seasons on practice squads and injured reserve, Cook finally got his opportunity when injuries created an opening on the offensive line. His debut performance against the Baltimore Ravens on December 7 showcased the skills he developed during his years of preparation on practice squads.

Cook’s promotion to the starting left tackle position following his debut marked a significant turning point in his professional career. Starting at left tackle in the NFL is one of the most demanding roles in professional football, requiring the ability to protect the quarterback’s blind side against elite pass rushers. His performance in that role earned him continued starts through the remainder of the 2025 season.

The Steelers’ decision to sign Cook to the active roster after his debut reflects confidence in his abilities. His journey from undrafted free agent to starting NFL offensive tackle demonstrates the persistence required for players who do not hear their names called during the NFL Draft. Heading into future seasons, Cook will look to build on this foundation and establish himself as a reliable option on the Steelers offensive line.