8 offseason moves Steelers will regret not making in 2021

Steelers should have signed Martin

The free-agent market got saturated with centers earlier in the year as teams tried to save some salary-cap space. While this led to B.J. Finney returning to the team on a minimum deal, the team could have gotten a better player to play at center for almost the same contract. The Texans cut Nick Martin and he went on to sign with the Raiders. Considering he is an average to slightly above average center, the Steelers would have been better served signing him.

Now, the Steelers are currently facing a dilemma where they are going to push Kendrick Green to start right away at center. While a more experienced line could have countered any of the growing pains he would have, the team doesn’t have that. Instead, a team that is emphasizing a more physical line is going to risk throwing out a former college guard and hoping he succeeds at center from the first week.

Had the Steelers signed Martin, he could have filled the role as a stopgap center. Yes, Green would still have pushed him to become the starter, but if he has some rookie pains, it wouldn’t affect the team. Martin could have been the starter for the short term as Green developed during his rookie season. Considering Martin’s contract came in just slightly ahead of Finney’s deal, it would have made more sense for the Steelers to have added Martin instead considering the team’s needs along the offensive line.