One day after signing two of their offensive linemen to contracts, the Pittsburgh Steelers are cutting ties with another.
ESPN reported Friday afternoon the Steelers will trade oft-injured right tackle Marcus Gilbert to the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round draft choice.
Steelers are shopping starting RT Marcus Gilbert for a potential trade, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2019
The trade cannot become official until March 13 when the new NFL league year begins.
The Cardinals have three picks in the sixth round, the Nos. 174, 179 and 207 selections.
On his verified Twitter account, Gilbert wrote “Next chapter,” which would seem to confirm the end to his eight-year tenure with the Steelers.
Next chapter ???
— Marcus Gilbert (@MarcusGilbert88) March 8, 2019
Gilbert missed the final 11 games last season with a knee injury, and he was limited to seven games in 2017 because of injuries and suspension.
By trading Gilbert, the Steelers will save $4.9 million on their salary cap. His replacement will be former undrafted free agent Matt Feiler, who made 10 starts in place of Gilbert last season. Feiler, a guard when he entered the NFL, received positive reviews from teammates and coaches about how well he filled in for Gilbert.
Feiler, who doesn’t become a restricted free agent until after the 2019 season, will make $645,000 next season. The Steelers also have 2018 third-round pick Chuks Okorafor and former fourth-rounder Jerald Hawkins as tackle candidates.
The rest of the Steelers starting offensive linemen — guards David DeCastro and Ramon Foster, center Maurkice Pouncey and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva — each are signed through at tleast the 2020 season.
The Steelers gave Pouncey a three-year contract and Foster, an impending free agent, a two-year deal Thursday.
