A New-Look Steelers Offensive Line Will Need to Show Some Mettle

The times are certainly changing in the Steel City. And the Pittsburgh Steelers once-formidable offensive line may be a season-long work in progress.

Just go back to the 2020 AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Heinz Field. It would prove to be a disastrous evening for the AFC North champions as the upstart Cleveland Browns, who had not won a game at Pittsburgh since 2003, emerged with a stunning 48-37 victory. Ben Roethlisberger wound up putting up big numbers in terms of yards (501) and touchdowns (4) but also threw four interceptions – part of an embarrassing five turnovers by the club.

In that contest, the Steelers’ starting offensive line – from left to right – was tackle Alejandro Villanueva, guard Matt Feiler, center Maurkice Pouncey, guard David DeCastro and tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.

That will certainly not be the case this summer and when Mike Tomlin’s team opens the regular season at Orchard Park against the defending AFC East champion Buffalo Bills in a battle of 2020 divisional champions. Villanueva entered free agency this offseason and joined the Baltimore Ravens. DeCastro was recently released by the franchise and his football future is in doubt due to an ankle issue. Earlier this year, Pouncey opted for retirement after 11 mostly impressive seasons. And the Los Angeles Chargers inked Feiler to a free-agent deal.

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So what about this upcoming campaign? For now, it appears that Okorafor will make the move from the right to the left side. J.C. Hassenauer – who made three starts and center and one at left guard in 2020 – will look to fend off B.J. Kinney and 2021 third-round pick Kendrick Green at the pivot. Second-year pro Kevin Dotson figures at left guard and recent addition Trai Turner takes over for DeCastro on the right side. And journeyman Zach Banner, who has spent the past two seasons in the Steel City, looks like the frontrunner at right tackle.

All told, that’s a lot of new faces. Now add in the fact that the club has a new offensive line coach (Adrian Klemm) and a new offensive coordinator (Matt Canada). The latter hopes to reverse things a bit when it comes to a ground game that was basically an afterthought for three years under Randy Fichtner.

It’s going to be a very busy summer for Tomlin and the Pittsburgh coaching staff. Can all these new faces gel sooner than later? It’s going to be interesting to see what this offense looks like at Orchard Park vs. the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.