Pittsburgh Steelers sign another Andy Weidl special in OG Isaac Seumalo
By Tommy Jaggi
![Steelers, Isaac Seumalo Steelers, Isaac Seumalo](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3843,h_2161,x_0,y_142/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/58/01gvw43h8h78kvhsandx.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting serious about improving the offensive line and fans are liking what they are seeing. After signing a road-grading guard in Nate Herbig, the team expressed interest in landing the top free agent left tackle prospect in Orlando Brown Jr. Now Omar Khan is making yet another splash in his first offseason as general manager.
However, this feels much more like an Andy Weidl signing, if we're being honest with ourselves. Weidl was said to be a big offensive line guru when he signed on as Pittsburgh's assistant GM, and it shows. He was responsible for drafting Herbig -- who found ample success with the Philadelphia Eagles before a brief sting with the Jets. Now the team has locked up a much more prominant offensive guard in Isaac Seumalo, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports.
Breaking: FA guard Isaac Seumalo has agreed to a 3-year deal with the #Steelers, source tells @theScore. One of the best guards in free agency, revered as a smart and tough player.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 19, 2023
Weidl got a great look at Seumalo during his time with the Eagles, and the veteran guard is considered to be among the best in the business. After watching Philly's offensive line dominate their competition in recent years, it's not hard to see why the Steelers are so adamant about going after OL help this offseason.
Seumalo signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers late on Saturday night. Now the question becomes: where does he play on the OL in 2022?
Steelers determined to fix the OL, but where do the pieces all fit?
Over the past two offseasons now, Pittsburgh has signed James Daniels, Mason Cole, Nate Herbig, and Isaac Seumalo to multi-year deals. Cole started at center last year for the Steelers while Daniels played every snap at right guard. It's clear that this team wants to fix the offensive line, and I'm all for it. But I don't know exactly where all of these guys are going to play at this point in time.
Last season, Pittsburgh's interior OL consisted of Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, and James Daniels, from left to right. With this signing, I would have to assume that Dotson not only lost his starting job but may also be in jeopardy of not even making the final roster. Kendrick Green should certainly be considered an odd man out at this time.
In just a matter of days, a big weakness turned into a major strength. Now it's time to see where these players will fall in line. Seumalo has experience at both guard positions. But if you stick him at left guard and pair him with James Daniels at right guard, what are you doing with Nate Herbig? Is one of the best run-blockers from the 2022 season only going to be a backup?
Personally, my preference would be to demote Mason Cole and shift Daniels back to center -- the position he played during his time at Iowa. Daniels was drafted as a center before making the transition to guard, but because he doesn't possess great power, I think it would be wise to move him back to his natural position. This would allow for both Seumalo and Herbig to start on Pittsburgh's offensive line.
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Seumalo was Pro Football Focus's 10th-highest-graded guard of the 2022 season, so there's no question he's starting at one of the guard spots on the OL. From there, it's going to be very interesting to see what the plan is. This move once again makes me very happy that the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Andy Weidl as their assistant GM. His presence is felt early and often.