Mark Madden: Losing David DeCastro has end-of-an-era vibe for Steelers

David DeCastro’s release has Pittsburgh Steelers fans looking forward and backward.

Neither view is appetizing.

In a little more than a year, the Steelers lost their entire starting offensive line: DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva are all ex- of this parish.

Replacing them is a unit that seriously might be the NFL’s worst.

Right tackle Zach Banner has started twice in his NFL career and got cut by 0-16 Cleveland.

B.J. Finney rarely got on the field during his initial tenure with the Steelers. Now he starts at center unless his job is usurped by Kendrick Green, a mere third-round pick.

Chuks Okorafor was mediocre at right tackle last season. Now he moves to the cauldron of left tackle, the line’s most important position. Uh-oh.

Trai Turner got signed to replace DeCastro at right guard. Turner is similar to DeCastro: His best days could be behind him, and he’s wracked by injury. Turner missed seven games last season, his only campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Second-year left guard Kevin Dotson might be the Steelers most reliable offensive lineman. That indicts the group more than it compliments Dotson.

Adrian Klemm is the offensive line coach. He’s in his first year as a head position coach in the NFL.

Matt Canada is in his first season as an offensive coordinator in the NFL.

The offensive line has zero depth.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might make this group look passable via his decision-making, but his 39-year-old legs will do them (or himself) no favors via mobility.

Rookie back Najee Harris is a big-time talent. He had better be able to generate yards after contact.

If there’s a way to put lipstick on this pig, let’s hear it. The Steelers have decent weaponry, but that will likely be negated by how rotten the offensive line is.

But the line wouldn’t have been much better with DeCastro. Turner might be an upgrade.

DeCastro feels like a bigger loss than he is because of his resume. But chronic ankle problems muted his ability to pull, which is a big part of what made DeCastro special. DeCastro has been fading for two years, and it would be no surprise (or shame) if he retired.

Even at low ebb, DeCastro would have provided a fulcrum and leadership for the Steelers line. Now, it feels like starting over. In fact, it is.

DeCastro had an excellent nine-year career: two first-team All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowls. DeCastro tried to lead, was a true pro and always acquitted himself well.

But DeCastro didn’t win anything. Or even come close, really.

DeCastro’s Steelers won three playoff games in his nine seasons. The best they did was a 19-point loss to New England in the AFC championship game that followed the 2016 schedule.

DeCastro gave 100%. But the Steelers’ whole wasn’t nearly equal to the sum of the parts. They had talent to do far better but underachieved.

That reflects on coaching when it’s allowed to.

DeCastro’s loss also feels bigger than it really is because it has an end-of-an-era vibe.

A bunch of good offensive linemen came and went. Skill-position stalwarts like Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, too. James Harrison, Heath Miller and Troy Polamalu finished their time as Steelers during DeCastro’s tenure. Ryan Shazier’s promising career sadly was cut short. The Steelers had five Pro Bowlers last season: DeCastro, Pouncey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt. DeCastro blocked for a big part of Roethlisberger’s prime.

But the Steelers accomplished virtually nothing on DeCastro’s watch besides prop up coach Mike Tomlin’s “never had a losing season” nonsense.

Look forward. Look backward. Do you like what you see?

DeCastro isn’t on TikTok, so the Steelers don’t need him.