Steelers' Isaac Seumalo Eager For Challenge At Training Camp In 2023: "Iron Sharpens Iron... And I'm Here For It"

So far in his first year as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan has made his mark on the roster heading into the preseason camp circuit. Fans were able to finally watch the front office become active throughout the free agency period and in turn, the Steelers added a lot of talent for 2023. Key additions came in a variety of levels within the depth chart, but maybe none more important than the conscious effort to bolster the offensive line.

While the Steelers’ offensive line was a quietly decent asset to the team in 2022, Khan and company know how important it is to protect Kenny Pickett in his sophomore season. As we watched the new names land in Pittsburgh as the reconstruction began, fans noticed a trend. Khan worked hand-in-hand with Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl throughout the shopping process, after he joined the team after a six-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

With him, Weidl brought a cornucopia of intel on a batch of former Eagles’ offensive linemen who hit the open market earlier this year. It is those additions that Khan and Weidl are deploying to bulk up the Steelers’ offensive line.

Isaac Seumalo, Le’Raven Clark and Nate Herbig were welcomed to Pittsburgh earlier this offseason in March. Seumalo played a large part in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run in 2022 and logged 17 games as a starter. Meanwhile, Herbig saw action with the New York Jets last season and Clark spent time with the Tennessee Titans. With the three linemen back together on the same squad, Khan and Weidl set up the offensive line coach, Pat Meyer, with a strong blocking corps for the offense to effectively move the ball down the field this season.

Of those three additions, Seumalo was arguably one of the most welcomed players for the Steelers. In addition to his impressive starting resume, he brings a unique level of football intelligence to his skillset and has the size and physicality to execute on each snap. That package is one that the Steelers were attracted to in their 2023 initiative for a refreshed offensive line repertoire. That new initiative centers around one major component; no preventable, dumb penalties.

The Steelers Are Looking To Eliminate 'Dumb' Penalties From The Offensive Line In 2023

Last season, left guard-incumbent Kevin Dotson was tied for third in the entire league in most penalties. Dotson committed 11 penalties through his 17 starts at the position. To the left of Dotson stood Dan Moore Jr. who was tied for ninth in the league with nine total penalties called. Meanwhile, Seumalo only tallied three false starts in all of last season. Herbig also only had three penalties last year, consisting of two holds and a false start in his 11 games. Finally, center Mason Cole didn’t commit any penalties in 2022 and right guard James Daniels only had one penalty accepted against him. The Steelers’ desire for a penalty-free offense is clear for 2023.

Seumalo sat down with Jim Miller and Pat Kirwin on SiriusXM’s Movin’ The Chains to talk about this year’s offensive line group. Being a former NFL scout and coach, Kirwin is very familiar with the value an elite offensive line brings to the overall offense. Looking deeper into the middle of the offensive line, he knows how critical it is to have a solid player at the center position. Although it may not be the most glamorous position in football, it is one that is crucial to the offense’s success. Kirwin began by praising the efforts of Cole.

“He (Cole) doesn’t make mistakes, there’s no penalties in his game, his sack ratio is absurd; one of every 326 pass plays. And his availability is rock solid. He’s 1,100 plays. He’s on the field, he performs, he doesn’t make mistakes,” Kirwin detailed. “Great centers, sometimes people don’t even know who they are. You got to study them to see how good they really are. So I think you got a gem in that guy.”

With Seumalo carrying multiple practice sessions with Cole and the Steelers under his belt, he reflected on his time with the Eagles and how it compares to his new situation. In Philadelphia, Seumalo lined up next to All-Pro center Jason Kelce. When the ink dried on Seumalo’s new contract in Pittsburgh, Kelce expressed his sadness, calling him “one of the best guards in the NFL”. Now with another sneaky-good center in Cole, Seumalo shared his early impressions of his new running mate.

“Just from the time I’ve been here, man, he’s smart, strong, athletic. You know, all the qualities you see in great centers, he has them, and he’s shown it.”

In addition to his free agent counterparts, Seumalo’s partner on the left side of the line is also new to the team and NFL as a whole. The Steelers traded up to grab left tackle Broderick Jones with the 14th overall selection and is looking as advertised. Seumalo talked about their time together and if he thinks he’ll win the starting role for opening day.

“Broderick’s been, I mean, he’s an outstanding athlete. He as all the tools physically, mentally, you know, he’s into it. He wants to learn, be a sponge. With the offensive line, it's always tough. Very rare instances where guys come in and start right away. But I think Brod definitely has the mental and physical makeup to, you know, if that’s a possibility (to become a starter), I think that’ll be his opportunity.”

Coming in July, it’ll be both Seumalo’s and Jones’ first visit to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania for the Steelers’ training camp. Both fans and players alike understand the level of competition the Steelers like to bring into the annual camp and the elevated physicality that comes with it. 

With employment statuses lingering on every rep, every player is looking for an opportunity to showcase what he’ll bring to the roster. For Seumalo, he’s eager to get the pads on and square up against the Steelers’ re-tooled defensive line.

“I’ve been hearing from other guys what training camp is going to look like and I’m excited for it. I think getting a chance to go against our D-line, you know its not just the starting four, but the guys they have on depth is also very good. So, I think like Coach Tomlin says, ‘iron sharpens iron’. We’re all in the process of getting better each day, improving, and I’m here for it.”

Just from observing the team’s first several practices at their OTAs, that new and improved mentality is spread everywhere. There seems to be a level of excitement that each player and coach is radiating, and Seumalo’s remarks exemplify that. While we have yet to see them with pads on, the early signs indicate the efforts of Khan and Weidl are set to pay off in a big way. 

With the type of talent at every position along the offensive front, the Steelers very well may have one of the best, penalty-free offensive lines in all of football for the 2023 season. As it is shaping up, could we see the first Steelers' center voted to the Pro Bowl since Maurkice Pouncey? Only time will tell.

What do you think of the Steelers’ new offensive line? Who do you think the starting lineup will be for 2023? Let us know in the comments below!

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