Steelers' James Daniels Is Going To Be Too Expensive To Keep In 2025: "99 Percent [Chance He] Will Be With Another Team"

For multiple years now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have desperately struggled at the offensive line position. Since the breakup of the powerhouse they once had throughout the 2010s with Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, and Marcus Gilbert, the Steelers have had one of the worst blocking units in the NFL. Now, the tables finally seem to be turning as they continue to add talent across the board. However, the addition of these new young blockers could mean the end for James Daniels, who has done a solid job for Pittsburgh the last two years.

Daniels is on the final year of his contract with Pittsburgh. He entered the NFL at 21 years old and spent his first four years on a rookie contract with the Chicago Bears. In 2022, Daniels signed a three-year contract worth $26.5 million. The Steelers and their line were in a rough spot when they brought in Daniels, but he quickly made a big impact on the interior and has been a bright spot on the line ever since. 

Unfortunately for Daniels, the team now has two young talents with an immense amount of potential with Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo pointed this out during the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's weekly episode of North Shore Drive, and explained that Pittsburgh is going to have to pay both of those guys at some point. Not to mention, they also drafted Zach Frazier, who some expect him to fulfill Pouncey's shoes. On top of that, the front office still has guard Isaac Seumalo under contract for the next two years. 

To kick off the show, Fittipaldo was asked if there was any possibility the Steelers could reach on a deal with Daniels after this season. Fittipaldo claims Steelers General Manger Omar Khan was pretty transparent about letting go of Daniels when they drafted guard Mason McCormick. The insider also touches on Kevin Dotson, who left the Steelers recently, but earned himself a nice paycheck elsewhere. 

"I think 99 percent James Daniels will be with another team next year," Fittipaldo said. "Basically came out and said, 'Given the way the guard market is, we want to get younger at that position.' Isaac Seumalo is making the same amount of money as James Daniels, $8 million a year, Isaac has one more year left on his deal."

The insider thinks the Steelers believe that McCormick could sit behind Daniels and learn for a year, then be ready to go as a starter in 2025. 

"Ideally if it works out with Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, they're going to be investing big money in the tackle position and guard is one place you can actually save some money, rather than paying guys on the free agent market. Kevin Dotson after he was traded to the Rams, he's making $16 million a year, double than what Seumalo and Daniels are making." 

With the way the offensive guard market is growing, Daniels has played well enough to this point to earn a yearly base of roughly $15-$20 million. As Fittipaldo and the rest mention, his age is also what makes him so expensive. He will be turning just 27 years old at the beginning of this season, and he's already got 6 seasons under his belt. In order for the Steelers to give him a deal of that nature, he'll have to knock this season out of the park.

Is The Steelers' Offensive Line The Key To Success In 2024?

With the Steelers hiring Arthur Smith to be the new offensive coordinator, we can only imagine how much they plan to run the ball. Smith's offense relies on solid blocking and heavy running, and Pittsburgh's offense seems to be set up for that. Their blocking needs to continue to improve, however, because they struggled at times last year too. Depending on the growth and contributions from the rookies, like Fautanu and Frazier, this o-line could potentially have zero weak points.

What do you think of Daniels' future and how it will affect Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments. 

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