Exclusive; Steelers Connected to Rival Lineman Projected to be $64 Million Free Agent
The Pittsburgh Steelers could take another step toward their 2024 offensive line with upgrades this offseason. Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus suggested the Steelers won’t be leaving the AFC North to look for an upgrade. Spielberger listed the Steelers as one of two possible landing spots for Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams.
“The Steelers’ offense will be very interesting this season after hiring Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, and we don’t have a definitive answer as to why the former right tackle started.
Chukwuma Okorafor has been left out of the starting lineup,” Spielberger wrote. Steelers trade 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones for left tackle?
“If he continues to struggle in the right direction, are they looking for an upgrade on Dan Moore Jr., who allowed one of the highest pressure rates in the NFL for the second year in a row? “Our estimates suggest that the Steelers’ free agent acquisitions may be a little expensive, but they may be too big for the raw numbers.”
Pro Football Predictions
Williams signed a four-year, $64 million contract as a free agent this offseason. PFF projects Williams to earn $40 million in guarantees on top of his average annual salary of $16 million. This could be too big of a contract for the Steelers this offseason. Still, it’s hard to deny that Williams could be in Pittsburgh. Why is Jonah Williams a good fit for the Steelers?
As Spielberger pointed out, the Steelers have major questions on offense. It’s true that even Broderick Jones, a 2023 first-round pick, will be a big part of Pittsburgh’s offensive line for years to come. Jones moved to right tackle midway through the season when the Steelers benched Chukwuma Okorafor. Jones is a natural left tackle, but coach Mike Tomlin explained that Dan Moore Jr. “Jones is No. 1.” With Moore not being as effective as Jones on the other end, the team’s starters were stuck on the blindside at quarterback. If the Steelers want to improve their offense, they appear to have two options. First, they could move Jones back to the left side and find a new right tackle. Or, second, the Steelers could find an upgrade over Moore by keeping Jones on the right side.
Williams is an option in every selection. His experience at left and right tackle gives the Steelers the flexibility to allow Jones to play either position.
Williams played every snap on the offensive line at right tackle in 2023. But before that he played on the left.
The 26-year-old started all 17 games at right tackle in 2023. He has missed just two games in the last three seasons.
Could the Steelers land Williams? While he appears to be eligible, Williams’ contract with the Steelers is uncertain due to his potential contract.
According to Spotrac, the Steelers are nearly $14.7 million over the salary cap this offseason. There are some obvious roster cuts the team could make to free up cap space. But with all the other positions the Steelers need to address this offseason, spending $16 million per season on Williams could still be difficult. The extent to which Williams can upgrade could also be an issue.
According to Pro Football Focus’ player ratings, Williams is better than Moore. However, both offenses finished as one of PFF’s 10 worst offenses in 2023 with at least 50% of the team playing.
There’s no reason for the Steelers to spend big on Williams unless the team sees him as an upgrade. You may need significant upgrades to justify the money and space.
