Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Proving Pittsburgh Right For Cutting Him After Poor Preseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been extremely focused on revamping their offensive line since Omar Khan took over as the team's general manager in 2022. That approach was emphasized during the 2024 NFL Draft when the organization selected Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick after Broderick Jones was drafted in the first round back in 2023. Part of this restructuring has also seen the franchise parting ways with several players that were taken by Kevin Colbert prior to 2022. Chukwuma Okorafor was benched midway through the 2023 campaign and, with one year left on his deal, was released just after Super Bowl LVIII.

Okorafor ended up signing with the New England Patriots on a one-year deal. While he played on the right side for the Steelers, he has been working as the first-team left tackle in New England. In the franchise's final preseason game on Sunday, it's safe to say that Okorafor is having a tough time transitioning back to the left side. He could even end up being benched at some point if inconsistent play continues into the regular season.

Despite only starting seven games in 2023, he was tied with Dan Moore Jr., Mason Cole and Jones for having the most accepted penalties of any offensive lineman on the team with three. It was one of the reasons for his benching, and the Patriots can't be thrilled about him being penalized three times in one game on Sunday. Illegal formation is an inexcusable mistake when it occurs once, let alone three times.

The Steelers were very quick to move on from Okorafor after a rough 2023 season and his big cap hit for 2024. He has 59 games of starting experience, which was certainly valued by New England. Unfortunately, he is already making some of the same mistakes and the games haven't even truly mattered yet. He could find himself as a backup once again.

It will be interesting to see how the Patriots approach the struggles of Okorafor. Interestingly enough, it's possible that the Steelers elect to trade Moore at some point during the 2024 season as he is unlikely to sign back with the team. Injuries have potentially put those theorized plans on hold, but if Okorafor isn't what New England is looking for and Pittsburgh gets healthy on the line, trading Moore to the Patriots could absolutely be an option.

The Steelers are dealing with a banged up Fautanu and Jones, while Dylan Cook is now expected to miss several weeks with an injury. On top of that, Nate Herbig will miss the entire season after tearing his rotator cuff. Depth is quickly diminishing, which is why Moore, who was once looked at as a trade candidate, is expected to stick around and maybe even start if one of the two young tackles can't play.

Steelers Need Strong Line Play To Make Offense Work

Arthur Smith came to town as the team's new offensive play-caller. The former Atlanta Falcons head coach loves to run the ball first and utilize the play-action second. For the approach to work, the big men up front must be effectively blocking. Moving on from Okorafor is proving to be a good decision already, but injuries and inconsistent play internally throughout the preseason has to have Pittsburgh a bit worried about how effective the group is going to be in 2024.

Do you think the Steelers releasing Okorafor was the right move? Let us know in the comments below!

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