Marcus Gilbert: ‘I disappointed a lot of people in Steeler Nation'
Marcus Gilbert’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers is over. But the Former longtime right tackle told ESPN he didn’t take it personally when the team traded him to the Arizona Cardinals in March.
“You can never be surprised with NFL business,” said Gilbert, who started games for the Steelers from 2011-2018. “They respect me, but you have to understand it’s a business.”
Todd Haley:
"I don’t know what right tackle is playing better than (Marcus Gilbert). I really don’t. He looks as good as anyone I’ve seen."— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 22, 2016
Gilbert was traded for a sixth-round pick, paltry return for an established respected veteran. But he had played in only 12 games the past two seasons, missing time because of hamstring and quad injuries – as well as for a 2017 suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
“I felt like I disappointed a lot of people in Steeler Nation,” Gilbert told ESPN. “It hasn’t been easy.”
UPDATED: Steelers' right tackle Marcus Gilbert suspended 4 games for PED violation, writes @tribjoerutter >> https://t.co/SGFwFerGux
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) November 20, 2017
As good as Gilbert was for the Steelers, his replacements the past two seasons (mostly, Chris Hubbard and Matt Feiler) were more than adequate in his stead.
Adding depth on the offensive line, the #Steelers selected Maryland tackle Derwin Gray with their final pick of the #NFLDraft on Saturday https://t.co/nCF2BWEcRm
1245 The #Steelers released linebacker Jon Bostic after the #NFLDraft concluded https://t.co/sDGtd7VQMn— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) April 28, 2019
The Steelers are expected to enter training camp with a competition for the starting right tackle spot. Feiler and 2018 third-round pick Chuks Okorafor are the favorites to win the job, but Jerald Hawkins, Zach Banner and perhaps rookie Derwin Gray are possibilities.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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