The Pittsburgh Steelers could be in the market for a free agent offensive tackle this offseason, and at least one potential target likes the way he looks in black and gold.
Tennessee Titans tackle Taylor Lewan is expected to be released this offseason. Lewan signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension with Tennessee in 2018, but has missed two of the last three seasons with knee injuries.
Lewan responded on Twitter to a photoshopped image of him in a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey on Tuesday, saying “Those colors [go so] hard.”
Those colors so go hard. https://t.co/KTtcnznA3L
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) January 17, 2023
In the second week of the 2022 season, Lewin tore his ACL and suffered a lateral meniscus injury and missed the remainder of the season. Lewin will count for $14.8 million against the Titans salary cap for 2023, and expects to be released
“I think right now, I think if you were to say what happens to Taylor Lewan with the Tennessee Titans after the season ends, you would likely assume I’m released from the team, probably February or March,” Lewan said in an appearance on the Up & Adams Podcast in December.
Lewin has openly contemplated whether or not he wants to play for another team if he is released by the Titans. He was drafted by Tennessee in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and has spent his entire career there.
“I think everything is up in the air for me right now,” he said. “I don’t want to be the guy that ends up, `Oh, he’s still chasing the dream. He’s been on five teams in four years.’”
Lewan was a three-time Pro Bowler from 2016-18, but has yet to consistently reach those heights since his injuries. He had a 70.9 PFF grade in 2020, his worst for a full season.
The Steelers have both of their starting tackles under contract for the 2022 season, but Dan Moore Jr. has not impressed in two seasons as the starting left tackle and Chukwuma Okorafor is a potential salary cap casualty with a projected $13.1 million cap hit in 2023.