While the playoffs are underway, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and their fans, have focused their sights on 2023. One of the hot points of conjecture is trying to guess what veteran players the team might acquire. This has fans posting edited jersey photos, and subbing in their preferred player. Steelers superfan, Jersey Jerry is not immune to the hype. He has recently taken to Twitter to try to woo Tennessee Titans offensive tackle, Taylor Lewan over to the black and gold.
Donald Page Tennessee Titans
The crazy thing is, Lewan has been extremely responsive as of late and in a favorable manner:
Those colors so go hard. https://t.co/KTtcnznA3L
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) January 17, 2023
I mean, that's not a no.
Steelers May Look to Lewan to Shore Up Line
Lewan presents an interesting conundrum. He is a potential replacement for the much-maligned Dan Moore, Jr. While nothing of course is impossible, some potential acquisitions nearly are - the situation isn't right or the money doesn't work out. Last year when fans were talking about the Steelers trading for Patrick Mahomes, it's technically possible, but not at all realistic. Lewan brings up some interesting pros and cons.
Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. gets ready to take on Myles Garrett and the Browns prior to a 2022 regular season matchup. | Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
First of all, Lewan isn't exactly on the market. He is currently under contract in Tennessee through the 2023 season with a base salary of $14,841. However, the rumor mill is flooded with hints that Lewan is going to be released by the Titans.
Lewan, a first-round draft pick in 2014, has had a strong nine-year career in Tennessee. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2016, 2017, and 2018. In 2019, Lewan was suspended for four games for failing a banned substance drug test. However, upon his return, he blocked for running back, Derrick Henry and helped Henry lead the league in rushing yards.
Lewan has also had his fair share of injuries. This includes two major ACL tears, one in 2020 and one in 2022 that kept him out for most of those seasons.
Those injuries might be exactly why the Titans are ready to let him go. Henry is still a workhorse in their offense, but they need someone who consistently blocks for him so he can be available. Lewan seems to hint that he already has a pretty good idea his days in Tennessee are numbered. He joined Kay Adams on her podcast in early December and had this to say about his situation:
"My career was going on the path that I really wanted it to go on and then it was abruptly changed in 2020, so there was a lot of emotional stuff I had to deal with. What 2020 taught me is that you can't focus on things you can't control. So now two years later, being 31 years old, not knowing what the future holds for me because anyone can look at the salary cap and you can look at two ACL's in three years and you can you can definitely pretty much write down what's going to happen this off-season with the Tennessee Titans.”
That leaves the potentiality of Lewan fitting in the Steelers roster. He is a little on the older side, as he is turning 32 this year. Those two ACL's also do not bode well for him.
However, he does have a few things going in his favor. One is that as it stands today, the potential pool of offensive tackles in free agency isn't very good. There are a few somewhat well-known names including Orlando Brown, Jr. from the Kansas City Chiefs.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Orlando Brown #57 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks off the field after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
There is also a solid possibility that despite being 32 with busted knees, Lewan will want more money than the Steelers will want to pay.
One thing is for sure, it will be interesting to see what the Steelers' organization prioritizes in the off-season and what they decide to do to improve on the offensive line.
Do you think Dan Moore Jr. will be back at starting left tackle? It seems pretty likely Lewan will part ways with Tennessee, what do you think are the odds he ends up in Pittsburgh? Would you want to see Lewan in Pittsburgh (Jersey Jerry need not answer)? Click to comment below.
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