PITTSBURGH — David DeCastro's goal was to play 10 years in the National Football League, and he did. And it's possible he could still play again.
But after being released by the Steelers on Thursday and facing a third surgery on an ankle that bothered him for most of last season, DeCastro, 31, is realistic his sterling and decorated career is likely over.
"The body just kind of gave out," DeCastro said. "You do everything you can, but sometimes it's not enough. It's been a good run. I can't be too disappointed."
In an interview with the Post-Gazette on Friday, DeCastro said his release is not considered injury-related because he started the last 12 games of the 2020 season, including the playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.
DeCastro did not rule out the possibility he could play again after this latest surgery — "My wife thinks I'll play again, she knows me," he said — but he is not sure how the injury will respond going forward. If not, he is content with the career he had — six Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro selections — and what he meant to the Steelers.
"It all depends how [the surgery] turns out," DeCastro said. "I really couldn't tell you right now. We'll see and I'll move on from there. We'll see how the body is. I'll be honest with myself. I tried to trick myself and give it a fair shot, but the body never lies to you.
"Playing 10 years was always my goal. I've been living my dream playing in the NFL. I'm pretty content and happy with what I've done and proud of it."
DeCastro said he talked with several of his teammates, including Ben Roethlisberger, and told them of his situation. It did not come as a surprise because he sat out all the spring practices and did not participate in last week's minicamp, though he was there.
Still, he admitted it would have been difficult this season to play without his two longtime linemates and friends, center Maurkice Pouncey and tackle Al Villanueva.
"At the end of the day, it's an opportunity to get paid to play a game you love. We were lucky to have a good run with a great group of guys," he said. "Things can only last for so long sometimes. It is disappointing, it is."
DeCastro said his ankle began nagging him last January and it bothered him for most of the 2020 season, which could explain why his play began to decline as the season wore on. He said he wanted to give it another chance during the offseason to recover, but it never got better. He said he can walk around fine, but "it's hard to play football."
Even with three former Pro Bowl linemen gone from the roster, DeCastro thinks the Steelers will be fine. They signed former Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner to a one-year deal as his replacement for now.
"They'll find a way, they always do," he said. "I like what [offensive coordinator Matt] Canada is doing. He's doing a great job. I love the way [Kevin] Dotson played last year. It will be good. It's the NFL. You never know what can happen."
