Steelers place rookie FB Monte Pottebaum on retired/reserve list

Monte Pottebaum‘s time with the Pittsburgh Steelers was short-lived. On Sunday, the organization announced it moved the rookie fullback to their retired/reserved list.

Pottebaum signed with the Steelers in the spring after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the only FB on the Steelers’ roster. While it’s unsure whether Pottebaum is permanently retired, his time on the field is over for now. If the Iowa standout decides to retake the field, the Steelers will have rights to him.

We have placed FB Monte Pottebaum on the Reserve/Retired List. @BordasLaw

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 30, 2023

Pottebaum played at Iowa from 2019-22, appearing in 45 total contests. The Iowa native started in a combined 10 games in his final two seasons with the program. Pottebaum recorded 82 career rushing yards on 20 attempts, posting one touchdown. Pottebaum made 10 career receptions for 85 yards, as well.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke highly of Pottebaum, when the fan-favorite missed the Hawkeyes’ regular season finale against Nebraska.

“It’s a little unsettling not to have Monte because he’s one of our best players on our football team, one of our best leaders,” Ferentz said of Pottebaum. “Then Monte can do so many things, play in different positions, help us. It kind of limits what we have to do. We have to be smart about it.”

The 6-foot fullback earned his respect. Pottebaum was an unranked recruit coming out of high school. He joined the Hawkeyes as a linebacker but transformed into a fullback during the 2019 spring camp. He graduated from Iowa with a major in health and human physiology.

If he decides to no longer pursue football, he can put that major to good use. Pottebaum made it through the Steelers’ rookie minicamp, OTAs and three days of training camp before being moved to the reserved/retired list.

Other noticeable name for Iowa

While Pottebaum is gone, Iowa still has plenty of talent. Last week, in Cleveland.com’s Big Ten Football Poll, Iowa DB Cooper DeJean was named the conference’s preseason Defensive Player of the Year. 

DeJean had a breakout season last year, 75 tackles, eight pass deflections and five interceptions. In total, DeJean scored three defensive touchdowns for the Hawkeyes courtesy of the pick-six. Additionally, he finished third on the team in tackles, second in deflections, and first in interceptions and interception touchdowns.

DeJean was a pivotal piece of the Hawkeyes defense, which finished No. 2 in the country by giving up just 13.3 points per game in 2022. Watch DeJean and his fellow Hawkeyes take the field again on Sept. 2 against Utah State in their season opener.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater also contributed to this article.