The Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to meet with former Pro Bowler and center for the Buffalo Bills, Mitch Morse soon ahead of free agency that begins at the start of the new league year. After releasing their starting center last month, Mason Cole, the Steelers are looking to replace a vital part of their offensive line going into 2024.
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Steelers could be interested in Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl center Mitch Morse.
Earlier this week, the Bills released Morse as their starting center after five seasons in Buffalo. Morse was selected to the Pro Bowl just two seasons ago in 2022. Buffalo was forced to let go of multiple starters this offseason, as they started off roughly $40 million above the cap. Cutting Morse saved Buffalo about $8.5 million.
Center Mitch Morse, who was released by the Bills on Wednesday, is scheduled to visit with the Steelers ahead of free agency, per league source. If signed, he would fill the void created by Mason Cole's release.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) March 8, 2024
Morse has started 126 games at center during his nine years in the NFL after originally being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2015 NFL Draft. Morse played four years in Kansas City before heading to Buffalo as a priority free agent where he'd eventually become a captain.
The center position is one of the Steelers' top priorities as we dive into the draft and free agency. Pittsburgh holds the twentieth overall pick, and some were hoping they would be able to land some of the top center prospects in the draft like Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon) or Zach Frazier (West Virginia). The Steelers shouldn't count on either of them still being on the board by the time they are up, as they are the top two centers entering the draft.
The Steelers have not had quality neither consistent play from the center spot in quite some time. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan recently said it's time for a change.
"There's a standard here. I got spoiled. I was around Maurkice Pouncey and Jeff Hartings. That was my time here. Obviously, Dermontti Dawson. There were plenty of great centers here. There's a high standard, so we owe it to ourselves to look at everything to try to find the next great Steelers center."
If the Steelers to end up bringing in Morse, there's no guarantee that they won't decide to draft a potential long-term solution at the position. That will still very much be in play regardless of what happens in free agency.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan stands on the field prior to a professional football game in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Have Many Free Agent Options
The Steelers are in need of a center at the right time. Not only is the center draft class strong, but there are also plenty of capable options on the free agent market. Several veterans were released due to salary cap reasons like Morse. The Rams released Brad Allen who is another option that should be towards the top of the Steelers wish list. Other names to watch include the Dolphins' Connor Williams, Raiders' Andre James, Titans' Aaron Brewer, and Bears' Cody Whitehair.
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