Over the first 24 hours of the legal tampering period of NFL free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers came to agreements with three potential starting offensive linemen.
The third came Tuesday when former Chicago Bears interior lineman James Daniels agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Steelers, according to multiple national reports. Daniels’ contract will be signed Wednesday and is for $26.5 million, per ESPN and the NFL Network.
The Steelers on Monday signed former Vikings interior lineman Mason Cole and re-signed their own starting right tackle, Chuks Okorafor.
The 6-foot-4, 327-pound Daniels arguably is the most accomplished of the group, having started 48 games at three positions since Chicago selected him with the 39th pick of the 2018 draft. Daniels, 24, was the Bears starter at right guard last season, but most of his action his first three NFL seasons was at left guard. He did, though, start the first eight games of the 2019 season at center.
Cole’s deal was for a reported $15.75 million over three years. Okorafor’s backloaded deal was for $29.25 million over three years.
By finishing 29th in rushing yards and with Ben Roethlisberger being the NFL’s quickest time-to-throw quarterback, the Steelers’ offensive line was one of the league’s worst in 2021. Footballoutsiders.com’s quantitative metric ranked it 28th in run-blocking. Pro Football Focus’ grades pegged them 26th.
The signings of Cole and Daniels virtually guarantee that last season’s starting right guard, Trai Turner, will not be back. It also signals that neither center Kendrick Green nor left guard Kevin Dotson has job security. Dotson will be entering his third season. Green played more guard in college but started as a rookie at center after being a third-round pick.
Among the 90 guards and centers who played the most snaps last season, PFF graded Daniels 35th in the NFL. Daniels comes with a reputation of being athletic and adept at an outside “zone-blocking” scheme.
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