Following the Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys, here are six potential new starters on the offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Training Camp of 2021 is currently underway, and the Steelers are practicing in their usual spot in Latrobe, which I referenced in a previous post. But for the Steelers to get themselves ready as they started the preseason against the Dallas Cowboys, and looking forward to their next game against the Philadelphia Eagles, there is a lot to digest. One of many important problems the Steelers need to solve right now is the 5 men up-front before Week 1 of the regular season approaches.
The picture of Ben Roethlisberger and retiree Maurkice Pouncey sitting together on a bench from the Steelers sideline from the Wild Card Playoff loss now has more meanings than 1. It was going to ring true that Maurkice would announce his retirement, what we would not know is that most of the 2020 Offensive Line will be gone with the exception of Chukwuma Okorafor and Zack Banner. Villaneuva decided to jump ship and sign with Baltimore in Free-agency and David DeCastro was released from his contract and is deciding on retirement. Talk about a shakeup in the system.
Okorafor and Banner at respective Tackle positions is 40% of the offensive line that is intact from the previous year, but there are three positions missing from the puzzle to make sure the Offense will be working in synergy with one another as the Steelers have 2021 1st Round pick, Najee Harris, in the backfield. Depending on when Roethlisberger will announce his retirement, the Steelers need to set up for the seasons ahead.
This has been one of many wrinkles in the Steelers offseason that has not produced much drama unlike other teams in the league discussed in a recent update, but it does need to be addressed. Let me dig deep and state 6 players that are suitable to fulfill the roles of Villaneuva, DeCastro, and Pouncey that were left behind. Disclaimer: as of this writing, the Steelers have not signed more positions from free agency or acquired from a trade.