According to various reports, the Steelers have reached out to a few offensive linemen in an effort to keep them in Pittsburgh.
ESPN reports the Steelers have talked to Alejandro Villanueva and the Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reports they also want to bring Matt Feiler back.
At left tackle, Villanueva is valued at $16.45 million a year, something the Steelers simply can’t afford but are hoping he will sign for less.
Guard Matt Feiler could also be hard to keep. NFL Insider John Clayton says he ranks Feiler as the second best guard on the market and could sing for $7 million.
The Steelers have already re-signed B.J. Finney after he was let go by Cincinnati.
So with the Steelers at least trying to keep their offensive line in tact as much as possible, the question that comes up is why?
Why, after the offensive line as a whole had a pretty rotten season.
Yes, Roethlisberger was sacked only 13 times (the lowest number in his career) but in most cases a sack wasn’t even possible with Ben releasing the ball the fastest in the league at 2.3 seconds after the snap. Ryan Fitzpatrick is next at 2.38 seconds.
Knowing the line struggled, Ben was forced to get rid of the ball quickly. They also believed their receivers could pick up yards after a catch.
Another indication that showed the poor play of the offensive line was their run game.
The Steelers had the worst run game in the league per game in rushing yards 84.4 and yards per attempt with 3.6.
That can’t all be on the running backs.
So with all the money they’d have to spend to keep Feiler and Villanueva, why keep them.
While Feiler is still south of 30 at 28, Villanueva is 32, that’s pretty old for a lineman.
Kevin Dotson had a great rookie season and can step up. The Steelers also could possibly have their sights set on an o-lineman in the first round of the draft.
If something is broken, you don’t fix it, but this Steelers offensive line is most certainly broken.