The Pittsburgh Steelers have already been beefing up their offensive line this offseason. GM Omar Khan and his team have already signed Nate Herbig ad Isaac Seumalo, both guards. But that doesn't mean they are done with their wizardry. There is a possible option on the market for an offensive tackle and he comes from a most unlikely source; Jonah Williams from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mitchell Leff
The Steelers' signing of guard Isaac Seumalo came as a shock to many, as he will help revitalize the team's running game in 2023.
The Steelers Improved Offensive Line Keeps Getting Better
The Steelers' offensive line made major strides during the 2022 season after being ranked one of the worst in the league in 2021. They slowly inched their way closer to where they will need to be if they want to be competitive. The line of 2022 got a huge boost from remaining virtually injury-free during the season, as they all played together each game, more than any other line in the league last year.
However, it is not prudent to expect the group to never get hurt, it is a physically demanding job and injuries are part of it. Besides, despite improving, the line was not playoff or Super Bowl caliber, there was still room for improvement.
Clearly, Khan saw opportunities and took them bringing in two versatile and solid athletes to compete along with the current guys for spots. While it feels really great to have so much quality depth at the guard position, the offensive tackle position has not been addressed. Currently, they have Dan Moore Jr., and Chukwuma Okorafor lined up at the left and right spots respectively.
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Steelers' Dan Moore comes out of the tunnel for the start of the game.
It just so happens that Williams is out there looking for a new home after the Bengals spent a fortune on signing free agent Orlando Brown at $64 million for four years. Apparently, Williams took the signing as a bit of a slap in the face, after all, they play the same position. It seems clear he is being replaced, despite helping to lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl. This led to Williams requesting a trade from Cincinnati.
While it isn't common for teams to trade a player to the "enemy," after all they are division rivals, it does happen. It will all depend on the deal they are able to strike and that leaves Pittsburgh as a possible destination.
Williams was the 11th overall pick in the 2019 draft out of the University of Alabama. He was injured during preseason and required surgery that prevented him from playing his rookie season. The Bengals picked up the fifth-year option on him and he is guaranteed a salary of about $12.6 million. That's is a reasonable price for a starting left tackle who is only 25 years old.
There are pros and cons to signing someone like Williams. Being that he is from the AFC North, the Steelers should be very familiar with his game, which helps them determine if Williams is a good fit for this improving line. There is a possibility that the signing of Brown helps to drop Williams trade value, making him a better deal for the Steelers.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle, Jonah Williams requests trade after team signs Orlando Brown.
The deal is always the issue and if the Bengals are too eager to trade to the Steelers, then they should be wary. Not only had Williams had a few injuries during his pro career, he hasn't necessarily played up to the level that was expected when he was in college.
He is definitely small for a lineman, he's 6'4' and about 300 lbs with a shorter than average wing span. This impacts his ability to anchor himself. In 2022, he had the worst season of his career. Pro Football Focus graded him 63.9 in 2022 after being 77.1 in 2021. He has 23 career sacks and 105 pressures against him, including a career high 12 sacks allowed in 2022.
Perhaps WIlliams will come angry and agressive, ready to reap revenge on the Bengals for the slight. But that is hard to predict. For this trade to make sense for the Steelers, the terms of the trade have to be reasonable. We can't give up major draft capital to bring in a mid-level lineman. It seems we are better off drafting some depth and relying on the improvements made by Okorafor, Moore and the new players in Seumalo and Herbig.
What do you think about Williams? Would you want the Steelers to trade for him? What would you be willing to give up to have him in Pittsburgh? Click to comment below and let us hear your thoughts!
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