Replacing a cornerstone piece of the offensive line won’t be easy, but it’s a reality the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to face. It appears amicable between the team and pending free agent Isaac Seumalo, but they are expected to part ways. His departure would leave Pittsburgh in a difficult position, removing a key veteran presence from an otherwise young offensive line.
The good news for the Pittsburgh Steelers is that several viable options exist in free agency to replace Seumalo. The team could choose to wait until the NFL Draft to address the need, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them double-dip at the position this offseason. Investing in the offensive line proved critical to the team’s progress in key areas last season.
With cap casualties emerging across the NFL, a new free-agent option has surfaced. The Los Angeles Chargers recently released veteran guard Mekhi Becton, a move that clears $9.7 million in cap space for the AFC foe to allocate elsewhere.
Pursuing a cap casualty in free agency always carries some risk, but it can also yield significant value. Becton brings starting experience and could represent a more affordable option for a team seeking stability along the offensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers could replace Isaac Seumalo for Mekhi Becton during free agency
Perhaps the primary factors behind Isaac Seumalo and the Steelers parting ways in free agency are his age, contract expectations, and recent injury concerns. He will turn 33 at the start of next season, and projections suggest he could command a deal paying top dollar through age 36. That type of long-term commitment may be difficult for Pittsburgh to justify.
Mekhi Becton could transition into the left guard vacancy with relative ease. He has started 29 games over the past two seasons at guard. In 2024, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles as their starting right guard and helped anchor an offensive line that won a Super Bowl.
After signing a two-year, $20 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency last year, Becton did not perform at the same level following a move to left guard.
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Mekhi Becton was selected 11th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, entering the league as a first-round pick with high expectations. Over the course of his career, he has started 30 games at tackle, but his transition to guard has helped stabilize his career.
Becton has the versatility to start on either side of the interior line, creating valuable flexibility for the offense.
Mason McCormick has experience at both guard positions, dating back to his college career, and could switch sides if needed. Becton may be better suited to play left guard in Pittsburgh, particularly within a more stable offensive line structure. With a smaller contract likely awaiting him in free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers should have interest.