Steelers reportedly sign former Bears OL Rashaad Coward
Versatile offensive lineman Rashaad Coward is expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a report from NFL Network.
The move would add depth and options to an offensive line that has lost one starter (Maurkice Pouncey) to retirement and another to free agency (Matt Feiler) while left tackle Alejandro Villanueva also remains unsigned.
Judging by his NFL career so far, Coward most likely would come in as the replacement for Feiler. Like Feiler did for the Steelers, Coward has started games at both guard spots and right tackle.
The 6-5, 325-pound Coward made 10 starts at right guard for the Chicago Bears in 2019. Last season, he started five games for Chicago — three at left guard, two at right tackle.
Coward could have been a restricted free agent but was not tendered a contract by the Bears earlier this offseason. A former undrafted player from Old Dominion, Coward is a converted defensive lineman who was moved to offense in 2018.
The Steelers often have tried their hand with converted defensive lineman on their o-line, having the most success with Villanueva.
Well, if you put stock into Pro Football Focus, let's just say their grades are… unkind.. to Rashaad Coward.
Among 212 qualifying NFL offensive linemen last season, Coward ranked:
204th overall
198th pass blocking
193rd run blocking— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) March 29, 2021
The subjective analysis of Pro Football Focus is not kind to Coward’s play in 2020. Among 212 qualifying NFL offensive linemen last season, PFF rated Coward 204th overall, 198th in pass blocking and 193rd in run blocking.
As their depth chart stands with free agents still available and the draft a month away, the Steelers have Zach Banner and Chuks Okorafor at tackle and David DeCastro, Kevin Dotson, B.J. Finney and J.C. Hassenauer on the interior with free-agent signee Joe Haeg and Coward capable of playing both guard and tackle among players with starting NFL experience.
Of interest in the news breaking on Coward’s signing is that, as broken down by Yahoo Sports, the move was first leaked by Coward’s wife while she played on online video game Saturday.
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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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