The Pittsburgh Steelers' overhaul on offense this offseason was bizarre. But, knowing they likely have just one season with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, it makes sense for the team to deviate from their typical offseason practices. Nonetheless, it’s strange that the team is asking the 41-year-old to set up behind an offensive line that only has one projected starter with more than four years of playing experience.
The Steelers are projected to have second-year players starting from center through right tackle. Of course, the investments in second-round center Zach Frazier and first-round right tackle Troy Fautanu make it obvious the Steelers won’t take them out of the starting lineup.
However, the Steelers don’t have to be so married to fourth-rounder Mason McCormick if they don’t want to. After all, he wasn’t supposed to be a starter last season, though he did step up admirably for James Daniels when he was lost to the season early on.
Pittsburgh Steelers' youth-heavy offensive line could use a stabilizing force
A prominent right guard is still sitting in free agency, who could be had at a relatively cheap price, especially as a guy hoping to find some postseason success on the backend of his career. That’s former Washington Commander and Jacksonville Jaguar Brandon Scherff.
Now, the Steelers don’t have a lot of cap space heading into training camp, roughly $17 million, so their opportunities to add to the roster in the near future do seem somewhat bleak. However, there are some possible cut candidates such as Cordarrelle Patterson, Cole Holcomb, and DeMarvin Leal, whose departures would open up enough space after camp to justify one more critical addition up front with Scherff.
Earlier this year, Pro Football Focus suggested Scherff could be had for a much cheaper deal than what he received for his three seasons in Duval, projecting that he could be had on a one-year deal at $6 million. That deal would be cutting it close without cutting one or more of the above-mentioned players.
Still, Scherff is the kind of player who would be worth it, and it goes beyond the former Iowa Hawkeye simply looking like he was born to wear black and gold one more time.
Scherff had something of a career revitalization in Jacksonville. He wasn’t exactly in the dumps, but he started every single game across three seasons for the Jaguars after dealing with injuries throughout his time in Washington.
Plus, he nabbed a 74.5 pass blocking grade from PFF, which ranked 19th in the league and practically dwarfs the grade McCormick got in his rookie season, a 63.2 grade that ranked 63rd in the NFL.
For what it’s worth, Scherff also had better grades in the running game, though only slightly, earning a 57.3 to McCormick’s 53.7.
Scherff would be a smart exception to Pittsburgh’s draft-first philosophy
Beyond the fact that he’s simply the better player between the two, Scherff would provide an extra helping of veteran leadership in the middle of the offensive line, which would no doubt be a benefit to Frazier and Fautanu on either side of him and McCormick behind him.
It’s been clear that the Steelers want to build the trenches through the draft, as well they should. But McCormick could use some time in the oven learning from a great player like Scherff, and the veteran would also provide more consistent play upfront to help keep Rodgers upright. If worse came to worse and Scherff’s injury history catches up with him, then McCormick can easily take back over while still having Scherff to lean on in the meeting rooms.
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If the Steelers are really all-in on capturing a Super Bowl in this small window by adding the veterans they have across the roster, it stands to reason that the same efforts should be poured into the offensive line. Scherff would no doubt make a fine addition in that endeavor.