Inside linebacker isn't the only position that's getting a makeover in free agency.
The Steelers have landed one of the top guards on the free agent market, agreeing to terms with Isaac Seumalo on a three-year, $24-million contract. The team officially announced the signing on Tuesday afternoon.
Seumalo, 29, has played all of his seven seasons with the Eagles after he was selected by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2016 draft. In addition to Nate Herbig, this is the second offensive lineman the Steelers have added in free agency that has ties to assistant general manager Andy Weidl. Only Seumalo is a stout pass-blocking guard and is one of the most consistent overall performers at his position in the NFL.
For the price that was paid to add a player of Seumalo's level, the Steelers have potentially landed their biggest impact signing of free agency thus far.
Seumalo logged 1,350 snaps in 20 games for the Eagles last season, and was remarkably consistent. The folks at Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 10th-best overall guard in 2022, and he was called for six penalties and only allowed one sack. By comparison, James Daniels played 1,160 snaps for Pittsburgh last season, while being called for five penalties and allowed no sacks. That kind of protection up front at both guard spots -- especially at an added annual cost of only $8 million -- is a fantastic development for protecting Kenny Pickett.
Seumalo played exclusively at right guard for the Eagles in 2022, but has actually logged more snaps at left guard over the course of his career. So, he's able to play either side. The reason for the cheaper deal might come down to 21 missed games between 2020-21. But, once pen is put to paper, that means the Steelers are confident in Seumalo's health, especially coming off a season in which he didn't miss a snap.
What this means for the future of Kevin Dotson remains to be seen as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Steelers could even save $2.7 million in cap space if they wanted to cut ties now. Cutting Kendrick Green, who never earned a helmet in 2022, would clear $876,748. While tackle was thought to be the primary focus by those on the outside, I learned at the NFL Combine that the interior of the line was a higher priority by those who make the big decisions on the South Side. That could not be more evident now.
Through these moves, we might have also learned a little bit about how shrewd Khan can be as GM. When talking about how he might go about addressing multiple positions during the NFL Combine, offensive line was one spot in which Khan spoke of the highest confidence, even downplaying the urgency to address the position.
"You always try to improve every positional room when you can," Khan said. "Specifically, to our offensive line group, I said it, it was really encouraging to see those guys grow and come together and just become better as the season went on."
Now the smokescreen has cleared, and the Steelers' offensive line is now significantly better on paper than it was a week ago. And, with what Pat Meyer did with the offensive line last season, there's little reason to doubt he can do even more with more quality talent in the room.
While this isn't quite the overhaul that we've witnessed at inside linebacker, this is still a significant shakeup in the interior of the offensive line. Adding Seumalo and Herbig to the room that also includes Daniels and Mason Cole, sorting out everyone's role is a great problem to have. Not only does this better protect Pickett, but bolsters the interior of a line that excelled in run blocking down the stretch. Both phases of the offense can benefit greatly from these two additions.
