UNITY TWP., Pa — When the Steelers brought Isaac Seumalo in during free agency, he was about the biggest splash that Omar Khan and the team could have made to find help on the interior of the offensive line. Seumalo’s signing solidified both guard spots as key players of the future with a focus on protecting Kenny Pickett and aiding the rushing game in being the engine of the offense.
On some days, the Steelers’ offensive line looked like a disheveled mess. But one thing became clear, and it was that Seumalo was a massive piece of the team’s trench play. He clears running lanes on a variety of blocks, looks good in space, and has been the steadiest pass protector on the entire offensive line. There is very little that Seumalo struggles with within the grand scheme of things.
He is proving to be the anchor of this offensive line. That is a good thing, and just what the Steelers brought him in to bring to the offensive line. I am excited to see him in a live, game setting for the first time in a Steelers uniform to really take in all that he can do.
Most of the Steelers’ offensive line brings about a laid-back aggressiveness, and Seumalo caters to that type of philosophy perfectly. He sets the tone well for a room that follows the lead of offensive line coach Pat Meyer in their technique-first, mauler-second mentality. Now, make no mistake, they want to be maulers, but it means little to Meyer if the technique does not follow the pancakes on the field.
Seumalo is proving to be a steady presence that everyone can rely upon when they have ups and downs in their games. There is very little that rattles Seumalo, and on the rare occasion that something gets him a little off his game, he bounces back the next play. That type of lead-by-example leadership is paying dividends with young players like Broderick Jones in that room.