Former Steelers Tackle Chukwuma Okorafor Seems To Take Big Shot At Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't been shy during the Omar Khan era when it comes to moving on from players that weren't getting the job done. Not long after a Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, the 2024 offseason quickly saw the organization part ways with players such as Chukwuma Okorafor, Mitchell Trubisky and Pressley Harvin III. All three were expected to be let go, but Okorafor may have been the most obvious given his 2024 cap hit and 2023 benching. The right tackle landing on the bench allowed Broderick Jones to step in and get experience during his rookie season after being the team's 2023 first-round pick.

Okorafor moved on after his release, signing a two-year deal with the New England Patriots. He will look to make a significant jump, similar to the one Kevin Dotson made after the Steelers traded him to the Los Angeles Rams. It appears as if the former third-round pick is already learning a little bit more than he did during his time in Pittsburgh.

The Patriots players had their first day of Organized Team Activities on Monday, which allowed the media to gain access to some of the guys reporting. Scott Peters is New England's offensive line coach, and when Okorafor was speaking with Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the lineman seemed to specifically mention that he is getting better coaching than he has previously received in the NFL.

"He’s solid. He’s big about technique. I’ve had some coaches in the past whether it’s college or NFL, it’s just run and hit kind of deal. But he’s technique, hands, feet, everything. So far, it’s been good," Okorafor said of Peters.

Given the fact that Okorafor has only played for one other professional franchise aside from the Patriots, Steelers offensive line coach, Pat Meyer may have taken a jab from his former player. The comment from Okorafor hints at the fact that Meyer is more so about just mauling defenders, rather than the important tedious traits such as technique, hands and feet.

Okorafor was a right tackle during his time in the Steel City, but is attempting to make a transition over to the left. He emphasized that he knows he has the ability to make the move, not just to left tackle, but to a new city.

"I played right my whole time in Pitt. It’s obviously new. I’m trying to learn left as of now. I’m just trying to learn a whole new playbook. I’m trying to learn a whole new city, a whole new town. So, everything is kind of new to me now, but I’m blessed."

Overall, it could be seen as concerning that Meyer didn't seem to focus on key skillsets that could help players grow. Meyer has only been the offensive line coach since 2022 however, and Okorafor was drafted in 2018. He also spent time learning from Mike Munchak (2018) Shaun Sarrett (2019-2020) and Adrian Klemm (2021). Munchak is widely complimented in Pittsburgh, but the others, not so much.

Steelers' Former OT In Okorafor Likely Remembers Most Recent Experiences Over Anything Else

One could attempt to blame Sarrett or Klemm, maybe even Munchak, for the interesting comments coming from Okorafor. Overall, though, Okorafor lost his starting job with Meyer at the helm and it certainly seems as if he remembers that he wasn't progressing in recent years with Pittsburgh. It will be very intriguing to see if he thrives in New England with someone else helping him with his development.

Are you surprised that Okorafor seemed to have taken a small shot at Meyer and former Steelers offensive line coaches? Let us know in the comments below!

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