Tackle Alejandro Villanueva is of the Steelers’ last remaining free agents, but that might not be the case for long.
According to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Baltimore Ravens are expected to host Villanueva for a free agent visit this week.
The Ravens had been expected to bring back starting tackles Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. back, but Brown has requested a trade to a team that will play him at left tackle.
Villanueva, 32, has been the Steelers’ primary left tackle since taking over for an injured Kelvin Beachum mid-season in 2015 and has started 100 consecutive games for the team. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The Steelers originally acquired Villanueva after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles in August 2014. The Eagles had been working out the former Army Ranger and West Point alum at defensive end, but the Steelers moved him to tackle, giving him a year on the practice squad to adjust to the position. The 6-foot-9, Villanueva played tight end, tackle and wide receiver at Army.
The Steelers have already lost 2020 starting center Maurkice Pouncey to retirement and 2020 starting left guard Matt Feiler to free agency. The team does have both 2020 starting right tackles back in the fold after re-signing 2020 Week 1 starter Zach Banner, who suffered an ACL injury in the season opener.
Backup Chukwuma Okorafor started the rest of the season and is returning under the final year of his rookie contract. The Steelers also signed free agent guard/tackle Joe Haeg from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for depth at the position.