Analyst Sees Offensive Line as Steelers’ Biggest Need
The Steelers’ offensive line has not started the year as well as they had hoped. Instead, they rank near the bottom of the league in most metrics, taking a step back from last year despite signing Isaac Seumalo and drafting Broderick Jones. In Week 5, they put out their best effort of the young season against the Ravens, but that does not mean analysts have not noticed their issues along the offensive line. Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes that is their most significant need.
“The offense, as a whole, has been awful but that is largely attributed to play-calling rather than any particular personnel group. Pittsburgh is allowing pressure on 43.1% of their dropbacks, which is the fourth-worst mark in the NFL, according to TruMedia,” Benjamin wrote.
Benjamin highlights linebacker and the defensive line as other needs. The secondary is the big position group missing from that list. The Steelers will likely need to look to add both at cornerback and safety in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft or free agency. Even the trade deadline is ripe with names at both spots. But the offensive line still needs some fixing, too. Specifically, center is the most glaring position that the Steelers must address. Mason Cole has not played like he did last year, and his massive step-back is a massive reason for the team’s offensive line struggles.
After playing through injuries in 2022, it was reasonable to expect Cole to take a step forward this year now that he was fully healthy. Not only has that not happened, but he’s struggled mightily through the first five weeks of the season. Cole’s lack of mobility has led to their struggling run game, and his work in pass protection hasn’t been much better.
Pittsburgh could look to add another tackle. Chuks Okorafor will also enter the last year of a three-year deal next year. So, the offensive line shifting is not finished, but Pittsburgh will have to attack those positions either at the trade deadline or in free agency. You will not find many starting centers out on the market at this time of year, so expect it to be more of an off-season thing than something they can address externally now.
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