This big day for the Steelers’ guard position continues. They team quickly tabbed a David DeCastro successor, agreeing to terms with Trai Turner on Thursday evening.
It’s a one-year deal for the Pro Bowl guard, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). This will provide a Steelers offensive line incredibly light on experience with a seven-year veteran who has ventured to five Pro Bowls. The Steelers brought Turner in for a visit late last week. While that summit seemed a bit odd, DeCastro’s release vacated yet another position on a Pittsburgh front that will look radically different compared to 2020.
Despite trading Russell Okung for Turner straight up last year, the Chargers cut bait after one season. The Bolts shed Turner’s Panthers-constructed contract after he played in just nine games in 2020. A groin injury sidelined Turner for six games last season, after a knee injury caused him to miss Week 1. When Turner returned, he could not recapture his Panthers form. Pro Football Focus slotted Turner as the league’s second-worst guard in 2020. Of course, his health was probably an issue during his lone L.A. season.
Turner’s health has been an issue for a while, his run of Hawaii trips notwithstanding. He missed three games in each of the 2017, ’18 and ’19 seasons. But the accomplished blocker said he is back to 100%, and Thursday’s Steelers agreement signals they concur with his assessment. Turner, 28, resided as one of the top free agents left. His experience (89 career starts) could be vital for a Steelers O-line without anyone close to that total.
The Steelers lost 17 combined Pro Bowls from their offensive line this offseason, with DeCastro now a free agent, Maurkice Pouncey having retired and Alejandro Villanueva having signed with the Ravens. DeCastro appears to be considering retirement as well. His departure leaves a major void on a Steelers line whose most veteran member — left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor — has made 19 career starts. Turner and 2020 fourth-round pick Kevin Dotson, who started four games as a rookie, appear set to work as Pittsburgh’s guards this season.
Hate losing Castro. He has been great since the getgo. If it is true he is pondering retirement due to his injuries this seems like the best case scenario. A one year deal on a player with a pretty strong track record. Of course it is a crap shoot as he is coming off injuries himself.
Wouldn’t mind if they could could find a way to add Okung
Okung is washed up. He’s been cashing paychecks based on his past reputation for the last 5 years. He was barely average in Denver in 2016 – which is why they released him after the first year of a 4 year/$48 million free agent contract.
Was disappointed with Turner last year with the Bolts, but he was hurt most of the year, hope he does well with the Steelers
Hope the Steelers find a jersey that fits him.
Must be a hell of an injury to release Decastro and go to the journeymanTurner?
5 time pro bowler who has played for multiple teams vs a 6 time pro bowler who has played for one. It might be the difference in who will be ready come the start of the season
Is there a team with more question marks on the offensive line than the 2021 Steelers?
It looks like a true mess.
A lot of questions, but fresh faces. Dotson was the best lineman last year for this team. I expect him to take big strides. Rookie center potentially, banner coming off injury but won the starting job last year before getting her week 1, Turner an all pro veteran, chukes can be serviceable. New coach too if I’m not mistaken.
A couple possibly, but your point stands. Maybe the right way to answer would be no, but the Steelers could end up alright, unlike some teams who lean more towards the negative answers to that question.
I would say that the Raiders, Texans, Eagles, and Chiefs all have questions along their lines. Some are truly up in the air-like the Steelers-and others look more downright worrisome, like the Texans.
I have to think they are… ILB not named DBush who coming off a serious injury, ,CB,OT, are all really huge question marks, then throw in OG and OLB where there is no depth, just barely starters st both Postion’s other than TJ of course) … they have the likes of Spillane,Banner,Chucks, between rookie green/Finney at C , James Pierre as starting DB… I mean there is a ton of question marks… but honesty most of this will be on Ben’s shoulders and how he does.
Agreed, but I will also add that last year most of the success was also on Ben’s shoulders. The defense held the Steelers, but the offensive production was entirely on Ben. This year is a bit more dire because the defense has likely gotten slightly worse, which puts even more on Ben than last year, where they were able to pick up slack from the underperforming offense in many games.
Steelers OL about to be garbage.