The Pittsburgh Steelers have been exceptionally busy this offseason. New general manager, Omar Khan, with the help of the new assistant general manager, Andy Weidl, have been hard at work. The general sense among fans and analysts is that this has been a more productive period than prior years under previous GM Kevin Colbert.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Kevin Colbert and Omar Khan stand together at a press conference announcing Khan's new position as the teams general manager on May 27, 2022.
The primary focus has been on shoring up the trenches, focusing on the team's weaknesses from 2022, and adding depth. Some of the additions have been cornerback Patrick Peterson, linebackers Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb, guards Nate Herbig and Isaac Seumalo, and defensive back Keanu Neal. They have also re-signed some key players such as tight end Zach Gentry, safety Damontae Kazee and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. When you add so many new players, you also have to let some go like Cam Sutton and Terrell Edmunds.
While the offseason is far from over, the internet has been abuzz with praise for the work that Khan and Weidl are doing. Now, according to The Athletic, NFL executives are weighing in on each team's offseason activities.
How Does The Steelers Offseason Stack Up?
"For the second time in as many offseasons under GM Omar Khan, the Steelers signed five outside free agents to deal worth at least $3.5 million per year: guard Isaac Seumalo ($8 million), linebacker Cole Holcomb ($6 million), cornerback Patrick Peterson ($7 million), guard Nate Herbig ($4 million) and linebacker Elandon Roberts ($3.5 million).
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Steelers' newly-acquired offensive guard Isaac Seumalo
"That is five (potential) starters, which is big for them, and they also re-signed (Larry) Ogunjobi to a pretty big deal," one executive said.
The article goes on to say that some of the additions left questions about what would happen to players already on the team.
"Adding two guards raised questions about the future of 2022 offseason addition James Daniels, who is scheduled to earn $8.25 million in salary. Daniels could remain at right guard with Seumalo at left guard and Herbig as a swing player. Some wondered if Daniels could be traded or released. Could center be his best position?"
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Steelers James Daniels And Mason Cole
Moving Daniels to center is an interesting proposition. The Steelers have previously tried this experiment with Kendrick Green. Green had played guard in college and took on the role of center in training camp in 2021. Green was not successful in that position and was moved back to guard for 2022, but lost the starting role to Kevin Dotson. With Mason Cole currently at center, and doing a solid job, it is hard to imagine the team replacing him with anything but a sure thing.
"It seemed like they were just plugging holes cheap so they can draft the guys they want," another exec said, nothing that the players Pittsburgh signed seemed to be a one-for-one replacement for players they let go. "They have made no mistakes. They have been very safe, which is the M.O. of their franchise as a whole."
While it may feel like a "tit for tat" on replacing players that have left - i.e. Peterson for Sutton, there is always a method to their madness. After several years of feeling like the team has not built a solid foundation prior to heading into the draft, it is refreshing to feel like we are on firm ground.
What do you think of the Steelers' offseason so far? Do you agree with the executives that the Steelers have been virtually mistake-free? Click to comment below.
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