Heading into the 2024 offseason, a center was considered one of the most important needs for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The team ensured they would need to address this requirement when they let go of Mason Cole, who played at the position in 2023.
Between the draft and free agency, the Steelers have many choices to fill the opening for the 2024 season, but it is still unclear how they plan to handle the position.
It appears that the best choice for the team might be free agency as a certain center available in this year’s free agent market is seen as the perfect fit for the Steelers.
In an article identifying the perfect free agent match for each NFL team, PFF’s Dalton Wasserman linked the Steelers with Denver Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry III due to his success as a run blocker in an outside zone scheme, which the Steelers are expected to use in 2024.
Cushenberry’s Outstanding Season
Cushenberry’s career had a difficult start. He played in all 16 games as a rookie, but struggled as a blocker, allowing 29 pressures.
Since then, Cushenberry has become a valuable asset on the offensive line.
He particularly excelled this past season. In his fourth year in the league, Cushenberry allowed only 1 sack on 14 pressures in 17 games and committed just five penalties for the year.
Cushenberry also performed well as a run blocker during the 2023 season, which would be especially important in the Steelers’ offense.
As a result of his impressive season, PFF is currently projecting projecting Cushenberry to earn the largest contract of the offseason at his position with a projection of 4 years, $50 million.
At just 26 years old, all of those years should be in his prime for whatever team ultimately signs him.
It would be a significant investment, but Cushenberry could be worthwhile if the Steelers are serious about restoring the position to a position of strength in 2024.
“The Future Great Steelers Center”
The Steelers have a long history of outstanding play from the center position.
Unfortunately, the position has not met the franchise’s standards since Maurkice Pouncey retired after the 2020 season.
The team’s GM has assured fans that this will change. During a March 7 interview on WPXI 11, Omar Khan said that the organization owes it to themselves to find the next great Steelers center.
“There’s a high standard, so we owe it to ourselves to look at everything to find the next great Steelers center.”
They’ve already begun their search.
The team started evaluating Jackson Powers-Johnson and Zach Frazier during this year’s Senior Bowl. Both have been frequently linked to the Steelers in mock drafts.
They’re also preparing to begin examining their free agent options.
According to Triblive.com’s Joe Rutter, the Steelers plan to meet with Mitch Morse, who was recently released by the Buffalo Bills, Morse was a Pro Bowler just one season ago.
Once the legal tampering period begins, the team could start exploring other veteran options.
Cushenberry should be one of the players they speak to as soon as they’re allowed to.
