2021 will be marked as the end of an era for the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the team announcing that they'll be playing at Acrisure Stadium for the next 15 years, this organization enters a new territory of transitioning into a new era altogether. However, it's not all bad! The franchise has an influx of young known and unknown talent and 2022 will be the year for the team to prove they still belong!
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22), during a regular season game between against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA at Heinz Field. The Steelers beat the Broncos 27-19. | Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers
In a recent CBS Sports article, the Steelers had two players listed on the "All Under 25 Offensive Team."
We all know what Najee Harris is capable of coming out of the backfield. The rookie had a record-breaking season in the black and gold in 2021. Harris was designated as a member of the second team on CBS Sports' list. Was he slighted? Probably not after seeing the running back that was listed on the first team, Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor, who amassed over 1,800 yards rushing and claiming the NFL's rushing title last season by almost 600 yards.
Did the Steelers have anyone make first team on the "All Under 25 Offensive Team?" The franchise's new starting guard, James Daniels was surprisingly included:
"Daniels is an interesting player, because he should finally get some stability moving forward with the Steelers," writer Jordan Dajani stated in the article. "The former Bear moved around on Chicago's offensive line, playing left guard, center and right guard over the past four seasons. In fact, he played just three snaps at right guard before this past year, per PFF. Daniels has been solid over his first four seasons, but last year was probably his best overall campaign. Interestingly enough, Daniels barely makes this list since he turns 25 just days after the 2022 regular season kicks off."
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels goes through a drill at an Organized Team Activities session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Signed as a free agent in the off-season, Daniels is only 24 years old, but is the most experienced of the Steelers offensive lineman. (Chaz Palla/Tribune Review)
Daniels has the opportunity to come onto the team's roster and become a staple on this new and improved offensive line for years to come. Not only is he just an absolute mauler on the field, he's exhibited phenomenal leadership skills for the Steelers offensive line already!
James Daniels runs through drills on the South Side. (Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
The team's left guard, Kevin Dotson spoke during Organized Team Activities (OTA's) about the leadership role that Daniels has taken on with the Steelers’ offensive line room already this off-season:
“I would say our overall [leader] probably [is] James,” Dotson said. “James came in and he’s kind of taking kind of control of it. But he’s not like, ‘You need to do this; you need to do that.’ It’s more, ‘I used to do this when I was over here, so I just think this would help us’ kind of thing. He has some real good ideas when it comes to different [techniques].”
After an abysmal year upfront in 2021, the team had to make some moves on the offensive line. Daniels was one of the free agent additions while C/G Mason Cole was the other. I really look for the Steelers offensive line to be much improved this upcoming season under the leadership of Daniels.
What are yinz thoughts on the Steelers having two players make CBS Sports' "All Under 25 Offensive Team?" Let us know in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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