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Grading each starter on Steelers offensive line during the 2021 season

By Jeffrey Burton

Oct 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers offense lines up against the Denver Broncos defense during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers offense lines up against the Denver Broncos defense during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has been in shambles. Here are my performance grades for each starter along the OL in 2021. 

I think everybody agrees the Steelers offensive line has been a total nightmare in 2021. First, I thought we might revisit how we got here. High priority was put on getting star linebacker, T.J. Watt’s contract done. For the Steeler’s brass that meant certain players couldn’t be retained.

So, Matt Feiler and Alejandro Villanueva were allowed to walk. By allowed to walk I mean the Steelers told Alejandro they wouldn’t be re-signing him and they never made an offer to Feiler. My guess is if they had asked Villanueva to stay on for less money he would’ve said, ‘yes’.

They had already been notified of longtime center, Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement and then were hit with veteran right guard David DeCastro’s stepping down due to nagging injuries. This left offensive tackle, Chuks Okorafor, and guard, Kevin Dotson as the sole returning linemen with starting experience. They signed veteran guard, Trai Turner who had missed thirteen games in the last two years due to injury.

I couldn’t believe they were going to go into the season with an offensive line comprised of two mid-round rookies, a second-year man, a player whose best days are probably behind him, and a below-average starter. They could’ve signed a number of players who are now playing, most starting, elsewhere. Criticizing general manager, Kevin Colbert, is not something I’m accustomed to doing but in regards to the O-Line he failed during this off-season and the Steelers are currently dealing with the consequences.

New Offensive Line Coach

Even though the team fired 2020 offensive line coach, Shaun Sarrett and hired Adrian Klemm I can see no difference in the running schemes. Under former O-Line coach, Mike Munchak, the Steelers ran all sorts of trap and pull blocking. Klemm’s line schemes are as vanilla as Sarrett’s. As far as I can tell they are running straight zone blocking schemes for both runs and passes.

In run blocking this means if the O-Line manages to create a hole, which hasn’t happened much this year, it’s almost immediately filled by second-level defenders. Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada, has employed few run plays using a tight end or full back as a lead blocker. Almost every yard Najee Harris has gained has been by sheer force of will.

So far, I’m not an Adrian Klemm believer.

Evaluating the 2021 O-Line

I have gone over every play of the Steelers offensive line, this season. I’ve isolated certain players in certain games. I’ve been searching to see if there is anything salvageable the team could build on. What follows are my results.

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