Steelers’ actions made it clear upgrading O-line was priority

It began during free agency’s “legal tampering period,” when the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms with interior offensive lineman Nate Herbig.

It continued four days later when word leaked that guard Isaac Seumalo was added, as well.

A week after that? You guessed it — another veteran offensive lineman, Le’Raven Clark, joined the Steelers.

When the organization’s attention shifted from free agency to the draft, the focus didn’t seem to stray. The Steelers’ first (Broderick Jones) and last (Spencer Anderson) of their seven selections this past weekend were offensive linemen.

Looks like a trend, no?

The Steelers made it a priority this offseason to reinforce the proverbial trenches on offense — whether they want to admit it or not.

“We are just trying to build a quality football team,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We are not trying to make statements.”

Statement or not, the message is loud and clear: after spending capital in revamping almost the entirety of their skill-position corps on offense the past two years, this offseason there’s been an emphasis placed on blocking for them.

Khan used his seven selections over three days to make the Steelers a bigger team in the trenches and a taller one on the perimeter. https://t.co/imyIHN9CDY

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) April 30, 2023

That there were five additions to the offensive line room is particularly eyebrow-raising when it’s considered that all five of last season’s starters returned.

“My job is to bring competition to every position possible,” said Omar Khan, who presided over his first draft as general manager.

“Our job is to bring in competition. And I would say that by the time we get to the opening game, the best five offensive lineman will play, and we’ll see. That’s (Tomlin’s) area. We’ll see how it shakes out.”

Steelers GM Omar Khan on the selection of Georgia OT Broderick Jones with his first 1st-round pick pic.twitter.com/AUVS0wlj2V

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) April 28, 2023

The Steelers didn’t take a wide receiver or running back in the draft — the only time among their previous 37 drafts they neglected those “skill” spots on offense was 2004, when they took a quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger).

This year, even the “skill position” player they did take was a tight end much more known for his blocking than pass-catching.

When third-round pick Darnell Washington was described by many as a “sixth offensive lineman,” it was meant to refer to his role on the field at the snap. But in this case, it also could in some ways mean a sixth offensive lineman the Steelers added over the offseason.

“There’s no secret,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said, “of what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to play football.”

The infusion of so many offensive linemen this offseason stands in stark contrast to what the organization emphasized in the draft on offense the prior three drafts.

In the 2020 and 2021 drafts, each of the first two offensive players picked were “skill positions.” Last year, all five of the draft picks that went to the offense were devoted to skill guys.

The first- and second-round investments the prior two Steelers drafts went to players who touch the football for a living.

This spring, Washington is the only such player who was brought in as a free agent or in the draft — although it should be noted that veteran receiver Allen Robinson was added in a trade.

The draft pick the Steelers netted in that deal — they swapped seventh rounders with the Los Angeles Rams — was spent on Maryland’s Anderson, who prides himself on playing anywhere on the line.

“Smart and tough,” were Anderson’s choice of words when asked to briefly describe his game.

Jones believes the culture created at Georgia can help him become a better player with the #Steelers. https://t.co/IzbahvpehZ

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) April 29, 2023

Jones, meanwhile, relayed that the Steelers conveyed a similar message to him.

“They told me I’m a football player,” the two-time national champion at Georgia said.

“I’m going to give my best effort. My best shot. I’m going to fight to the end. Wherever they want to put me at, they can use me wherever. I’m willing to work, continue to push and just help this team wherever I can.”

How Jones, Seumalo, Herbig, Clark, Anderson — and even Washington — fit in will be fascinating to watch. Though the starting unit from last season struggled early in 2022, by the end of the season the group of (left to right) Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Dotson, Mason Cole, James Daniels and Chuks Okorafor was earning plaudits for jelling into an above-average unit.

But while Steelers management never would say it openly, their actions over the offseason have done all the talk for them: They were insistent on upgrading their offensive line.

“In terms of the division of labor and who is going to do what,” Tomlin said, “those things will be decided in the team developmental process. But make no mistake, we are excited.”

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