For unlikely playoff starter John Leglue, versatility is path to sticking with Steelers

Of the many “Tomlinisms” he has deployed, “The more you can do” has become one of Mike Tomlin’s favorite cliches.

Intentionally open-ended, the point is to illuminate the value in versatility, particularly for players who have yet to make a name for themselves in the NFL.

And there aren’t many players on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster who have shown an ability to do more than John Leglue.

Leglue was listed as a tackle during three other stops on NFL practice squads, started the Steelers’ final six games (including playoffs) last season at guard, takes some practice reps at center and was ready to step in at long snapper last year if starter Christian Kuntz suffered an injury.

“The more you can do — I believe that,” Leglue said during organized team activities earlier this summer. “I am just trying to do everything I can. The coaches always tell us, ‘Just control your own work. That’s all we can ask for.’

“But I’m just doing all I can do.”

In college at Tulane, Leglue started almost the equivalent of a full season each at tackle, center and guard. He took practice reps at guard, tackle and center during this summer’s Steelers OTAs and minicamp — and, yes, he will sometimes take time after practice to throw some long snaps in an effort to stay sharp at that, too.

Leglue knows it’s his best way of making the Steelers active roster in 2022.

“His versatility and his ability to understand what we’re doing is really impressive,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said late last season.

It’s hard to put into words the amount of gratitude I’ve felt in the last few weeks. I’ve been preparing for the moment I got to start in my first NFL playoff game my entire life, but never did I imagine it would be with a future Hall of Famer like Ben Roethlisberger. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/8QcIKtWzYB

— John Leglue (@theJohnLeglue) January 17, 2022

After 2½ seasons of spending time on the offseason/camp rosters and/or practice squads of four teams, Leglue made his NFL debut early during the Dec. 5 home win against the Baltimore Ravens last season. Leglue, the Steelers’ fourth option at left guard after a spate of injuries, remained there for 475 of the 477 offensive snaps the team played the rest of the season.

That included their playoff game in Kansas City, giving Leglue the distinction of being within a few feet of Ben Roethlisberger during the final home, away and playoff starts of the quarterback’s 18-year career.

“As a kid, you always dream of playing in the NFL,” Leglue said, “and being able to get real snaps in a regular-season game and postseason game has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little kid. So just being able to go out there and have an opportunity was phenomenal.”

During his six-game audition, Leglue did not appear out of place, although he was part of a unit that in 2021 was considered among the worst offensive lines in the league.

In 2022, presumed starter Kevin Dotson is back from injury at left guard, and Kendrick Green spent the summer at that position after a move from center. The Steelers also signed two new starters on the interior of the offensive line (Mason Cole and James Daniels) and gave $10.5 million to Chuks Okorafor for him to be the right tackle. Veterans Joe Haeg and Chaz Green return, veteran Trent Scott was added, and Jake Dixon and Jordan Tucker signed as undrafted rookies.

In other words, not only did Leglue lose the starting gig he had late last season, but now he is not even assured a roster spot. Perhaps a practice-squad job is not a sure thing.

“I’ve kept the same mindset each and every day,” Leglue said. “I have been on different (NFL) teams. Coming from Tulane, I wasn’t highly recruited out of high school either, so it’s one of those things where you’ve got to always have a chip on your shoulder and always prove your worth.

“Every year in the draft they try to bring guys in here, try to replace you, so it’s one of those things where you’ve got to make sure you’re on the top of your craft.”

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