After the first week of free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest roster needs witnessed a major shift. Thanks to trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and signing players like Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., and Jaquan Brisker, general manager Omar Khan patched significant holes at wide receiver and in the secondary. Now, offensive guard is among the biggest needs on the team.
With Isaac Seumalo spurning the Steelers for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, Pittsburgh now has a gaping hole at left guard. Sadly, the top remaining name on the free-agent market is no longer available.
On Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that the Houston Texans have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with three-time Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller. The former Cleveland Browns star offensive lineman has 101 career starts—the vast majority of which came with the Browns over the past seven seasons.
While Teller played mostly right guard for Cleveland, he has experience playing left guard. Meanwhile, Steelers right guard Mason McCormick was a left guard in college for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
The Pittsburgh Steelers missed an opportunity to sign Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller
Teller, 31, has probably already played his best football. However, his presence would have immediately filled a major hole on the offensive line. Even on a Browns offense largely void of offensive talent over the past several seasons, Teller has been a quiet bright spot.
With Seumalo gone and Teller no longer an option, there are slim pickings at guard remaining for the Steelers. Khan could go with Teller's old teammate, Joel Bitonio. Unfortunately, Bitnoio will turn 35 early in the 2026 season, and—despite his impressive reputation as a seven-time Pro Bowler—he would be nothing more than an immediate fix.
Meanwhile, younger guard prospects who were on the free agent market, like Alijah Vera-Tucker, David Edwards, and Dylan Parham, have all been snatched up.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers don't find a solution at guard in free agency, Khan could be forced to target the position early in the 2026 NFL Draft. This could potentially change their entire Round 1 philosophy this year.
With a run of receivers projected to be off the board before the Steelers are on the clock, Pittsburgh could be forced to pivot to a guard prospect like Penn State's Vega Ioane or Utah's Spencer Fano (who played right tackle in college but projects as a guard or center in the NFL).
The last thing Mike McCarthy is going to want is to have a gaping hole on the left side of his offensive line in 2026. Wyatt Teller was never going to be the future of the team if signed in free agency, but the options for the Pittsburgh Steelers are running thin.