Steelers May Be On The Verge Of A Surprising Extension

Building in the trenches will continue for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Omar Khan and Andy Weidl throughout the 2026 offseason. Despite efforts to solidify the offensive and defensive lines in recent years, work still needs to be done. Both sides of the ball need help in certain areas, which is why it is important that the team has over 10 selections in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. For the protectors of the quarterback, the starting group is somewhat set in stone, but everyone is curious as to what will happen at left guard. Isaac Seumalo is not getting any younger and is set to test free agency after playing out a three-year deal.

The veteran has led by example during his time in the Steel City, which has been a great thing for the young guys that have been drafted dating back to the 2023 offseason. It could make sense to have him return on a team-friendly deal, but Seumalo and his camp may be looking for a bump in pay because it could be the last contract he ever signs. This is where it will become pretty interesting.

Steelers team reporter Ray Fittipaldo joined The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller on Thursday evening to discuss several different topics regarding the organization. Seumalo came up and, at first, the insider did not seem to believe that the former Super Bowl champion will be a candidate to get re-signed due to the expected market and his injury history.

"If you want Seumalo back, there's two issues. You're probably going to have to give him a raise on the $8 million a year he's been making, and I don't know if that is smart given his injury history," Fittipaldo said. "He's missed seven games the last two years and, really, like, they're — getting him through the season is basically letting him practice one or two days a week and just hoping he gets to game day, and I don't know if that's a smart thing to do for a guy that's going to turn 33."

Quickly, however, Fittipaldo changed his tune and labeled Seumalo as a player that could return. With cap space to spend, it's possible, and the lineman's connection to Weidl in the front office could lead to the Steelers paying up soon.

"I would be a proponent of drafting a guy, but I also know he goes back to Philly with Andy Weidl, so he is a candidate to come back, I think, if the price is right," Fittipaldo stated.

It would be hard for fans to get mad at Seumalo coming back for another year or two. He has performed well when healthy, but at some point, only practicing once or twice a week could hurt the collective as a whole. Pittsburgh seems to have found a stable starter in Mason McCormick, who was a fourth-round selection, and it's possible that the team takes that approach to fill the left guard spot, as well.

The Steelers won't necessarily get away from ground-and-pound football under new head coach Mike McCarthy. He grew up in the Steel City and will want to continue the organization's tradition. This is why the offensive line will be key. The majority of starters for 2026 are set in stone, but it gets more interesting when the left guard spot comes into play.

Steelers Can't Go Wrong Re-Signing Seumalo

While it may cost the team roughly $10 million per year, a healthy Seumalo would allow a mid-round pick to sit and learn for a year or two. It'd be shocking if the front office doesn't select one, or multiple, linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that doesn't mean he or they will be requiring to start immediately. It makes complete sense, given Pittsburgh's abundance of cap space, to bring back the veteran on a simple two-year contract.

Do you think that the Steelers need to re-sign Seumalo? Let us know in the comments below!

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