PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Of the Steelers on the current roster, who are the winners and losers after the first official day of free agency.
Losers
Zach Banner-the 28-year-old offensive lineman won the starting right tackle job in 2020 only to blow out his knee in the first game. He worked back for over a year to finally get healthy but was unable to win his starting job back from Chukwuma Okorafor, who got a three-year extension worth nearly $30 million. Banner was released as the first official move of the 2022 season. It will save the team $5 million against the salary cap. It speaks to the NFL being a business because never once during his rehab did Banner not work or try to inspire his teammates. While other players wouldn't even show up for games, Banner was always there.
Joe Schobert-Steelers needed help at middle linebacker with Devin Bush struggling through off-season workouts. In August they traded this year's sixth round pick for Joe Schobert. The 28-year-old was second on the team with 112 tackles, but had issues against the run and his skills against the pass have diminished. The signing of Myles Jack led to the release of Schobert on Thursday and the savings of around $8 million according to spotrac.com.
Mason Rudolph-the incumbent starter who had to wait behind Ben Roethlisberger for three years. Rudolph started one game in 2021, getting one day of notice due to Roethlisberger being in COVID protocol. He went 30 of 50 for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception rushing for 36 yards in a tie with Detroit. He thought for much of the last month and a half he would be the starter, now likely only in the role if Mitch Trubisky gets hurt.
Dwayne Haskins-in his first interview when coming to the Steelers, Haskins said they discussed with him of the opportunity to be the starting quarterback in 2022 when Ben retired. The former Washington first-round pick now will only get the opportunity to remain on the roster. He had an opportunity all season in practice to show what he has, apparently the Steelers weren't impressed.
Kendrick Green-GM Kevin Colbert said he wasn't benched at the end of last season, that it was an injury that kept him out of the playoff game against Kansas City. That appears to be softening the blow for Green because they didn't just get one player who plays his position, but two. This also puts the heat on Kevin Dotson to stay healthy and perform at a high level. They didn't bring James Daniels and Mason Cole to Pittsburgh to sit.
Winners (not including those who signed new contracts)
Dan Moore-the second-year offensive tackle watched the Steelers re-sign the other tackle and only add a pair of interior linemen. They could still add a tackle in the draft, but last year's fourth-round pick sits in a really good spot. Moore was expected to sit his rookie season behind Okorafor, but ended up starting 16 games.
Diontae Johnson-it wasn't expected the Steelers would be interested in a big-money receiver, but none were added leaving Johnson as the no-doubt WR1 in 2022, even if the team drafts a rookie. It's a contract year for Johnson and as it sits right now, it's going to get a lot of opportunities.
Devin Bush-while the team added Jack to the roster, Bush is more affordable to keep over Schobert. As stated above, the Steelers can save almost $8 million by releasing Schobert or more if they wait. They will pay Bush $6 million this year if he plays or doesn't. The former Steelers first-round pick will work with a player in Jack also struggling with consistency under the watchful eye of Brian Flores. An improved Jack, likely will make for an improved Bush where Schobert had likely seen his best days in the rearview mirror.
Pat Meyer-you might initially think, who? The Steelers offensive line coach gets a pair of interior offensive linemen with position flexibility. While he loses Banner, he can pencil in his starting unit before OTAs begin. Steelers also sign an assistant O-line coach, Isaac Williams was a three-time captain at Alcorn State, graduating with honors and is in his early 30s.
More potential moves and what happens in the draft will add names to both lists. No doubt Rudolph, Haskins and Green, at the very least, have tougher competition to reach their goals.
