The Pittsburgh Steelers don't sign big names. The Pittsburgh Steelers don't hand out huge deals to free agents. The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't do any of those things under Kevin Colbert for the past two decades. But guess what? Kevin Colbert isn't here anymore. The first free agent signing of the 2023 offseason from Pittsburgh was a very big name. A future Hall of Famer. And it was a very big name that while he's still playing well is in the twilight of his career. Patrick Peterson already showed that new General Manager Omar Khan isn't exactly in the same mindset at his predecessor.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Steelers' general manager, Kevin Colbert (left) and head coach, Mike Tomlin (right) watch a practice in Pittsburgh, PA. |
Now, it's well known that the Steelers want to protect Kenny Pickett. He suffered two concussions as a rookie and if he's going to play for the next decade he isn't going to want to sustain too many more of those at such a young age. Dan Moore Jr, and Kevin Dotson are by all accounts the weak links. Moore hasn't been a disaster, but he's a roller coaster every week. He's also been the benefit of Steelers quarterbacks getting the ball out of their hands quickly when they know he's overmatched on the edge. Moore held Browns star Myles Garrett in check in all of their meetings, but Garrett spent more time in the backfield than Najee Harris. He was helped out by Ben Roethlisberger delivering the ball in 2 seconds flat, and Pickett's ability to move around enough to not get killed.
On Tuesday the team signed a guard that's likely to take Kevin Dotson's position away from him. Nate Herbig came over from the Jets and is expected to compete with Dotson during training camp for the left guard spot, and it's a spot that Herbig should win easily.
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The Steelers signed Nate Herbig to a two-year, $8 million deal to start free agency.
But now it appears the Steelers were looking to make a HUGE splash in free agency to replace Moore. According to ESPN lead reporter Jeremy Fowler the Steelers were involved in talks with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Before ultimately being out bid.
Among teams that showed interest in Orlando Brown, per agent Michael Portner: The #Steelers and #Jets. Bengals put deal over the top with strong guarantees over long term. @TomPelissero 1st on the deal.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 16, 2023
Brown has started every game of his five year NFL career and is coming off a Super Bowl title with the Chiefs this past season. Brown was traded from the Baltimore Ravens prior to the 2021 season to Kansas City. The Chiefs opted to sign former Jaguars tackle Jawaan Taylor instead of bringing Brown back.
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In Fowlers tweet he noted that Brown opted to take more guaranteed money. It shouldn't surprise many that the guaranteed money was used against the Steelers. Until the past two seasons the Steelers had never given out guaranteed money past the first two seasons, and it's often been one of the reasons they've failed to sign bigger names outside of their own home-grown talent.
The really bad part about the Steelers losing out on Brown is that he's headed to one of their most hated rivals. Brown will get a four-year contract from Cincinnati for 64 million. For two years straight the Bengals have been trying to do what they can to protect superstar Joe Burrow. Burrow of course was sacked seven times during a playoff game in 2021. He was also sacked seven times during the first game of the season in 2022 against the Steelers.
The Bengals offensive line got better as the season went on, but the addition of Brown will instantly upgrade the blindside for Burrow.
Do you think the Steelers should've done more for Orlando Brown? Let us know in the comments below.
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