If the Steelers intend to bolster their offensive line depth, they’ve a humorous method of exhibiting it. To date, the staff has been virtually inert within the offensive trenches this offseason. In actual fact, they allowed three linemen to depart in free company, together with two starters. Simply yesterday, they waived one potential depth piece.
Whereas Lecitus Smith wasn’t going to maneuver the needle a lot a method or one other, there may be nonetheless the query of depth. Notably at deal with, the Steelers’ place on their offensive line depth appears to be unclear. Final yr, they entered the season with Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, and Troy Fautanu. They added Calvin Anderson as their emergency plan after Fautanu’s damage, and now he’s their Plan A?
Fairly probably, says Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette. Requested in regards to the Steelers’ offensive line depth at deal with and whether or not they would add somebody, he didn’t sound optimistic. “There’s at all times the waiver wire after ultimate cutdowns, nevertheless it seems to be like Calvin Anderson and Dylan Cook dinner will compete for the swing deal with spot”, he stated.
As soon as upon a time, Dylan Cook dinner appeared to be a triumphant underdog story. The man Buccaneers coaches regretted letting get away, the Steelers have since been prepared to let him slip, as nicely. After he made the 53-man roster in 2023, they waived him final yr. He really started the season on IR, however they launched him on Halloween, signing him to the observe squad a number of days later. He remained on the observe squad for the remainder of the season.
In the meantime, the Steelers misplaced Fautanu for the season after which Calvin Anderson went down. At that time, they moved Max Scharping to deal with relatively than promote Dylan Cook dinner. So how a lot does that say about their opinion of him? One can argue that this was all attributable to his well being standing, however that’s a precarious place.
Both method, the Steelers have to determine who their swing deal with is, in the event that they don’t already know. They did re-sign Calvin Anderson to a two-year contract, which often signifies some dedication. Despite the fact that it wasn’t an enormous deal, it was greater than the minimal, totaling $4 million.
Many Steelers followers wished the Steelers to draft an offensive lineman to handle these considerations in regards to the depth. They handed on it, as a substitute doubling up on the line of defense. In spite of everything, they did draft three offensive linemen in 2024, and two in 2023. All 5 stay with the staff, 4 of whom ought to begin this season.
The opposite one is Spencer Anderson, a 2023 seventh-round choose who may additionally throw his hat into the ring for the swing deal with job. Whereas he spent final yr specializing in guard, he can play all 5 positions. If the Steelers want a swing deal with, evidently, it might behoove him to kick exterior. However that’s a choice the coaches make, not the gamers.
