One of the top remaining offensive linemen in this year’s free agent class is set for an intra-state move. Isaac Seumalo has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Steelers, per Jordan Schultz of The Score (Twitter link). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the contract is worth $24MM.
Seumalo, 28, had spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Eagles, seeing 60 starts amongst his 80 games played. A full-time starter since the 2019 campaign, Seumalo had primarily seen action at left guard prior to this past season. In 2022, he played on the right side for the first time in four years, logging over 1,100 snaps as the Eagles’ right guard.
The former third-rounder earned himself a three-year, $15.92MM second contract with Philadelphia thanks to his consistency. Seumalo’s strong play has been reflected by positive year-over-year PFF grades ranking him amongst the best interior linemen in the league. In 2022, his overall grade of 72.7 placed him in the top 10 for all qualifying guards.
While that will make his departure a notable one for the NFC champions, it is not an unexpected one. The Eagles were thought to be set for a number of losses in free agency, and they have indeed seen several contributors to this year’s run to the Super Bowl depart. Seumalo will become the latest to do so, though Philadelphia has Cam Jurgens in place as a succession candidate. The 2022 second-rounder was drafted to one day replace Jason Kelce at the center spot, but the latter’s decision to keep playing at least one more year will allow Jurgens to get playing time at right guard.
Seumalo has an injury history, including 14 games missed in 2021 and seven in 2020. However, his addition is a significant one for a Steelers team which has made several moves up front in recent years. Improving along the interior will give a big boost to Pittsburgh’s o-line, and likely pave the way for a bounce-back season on the ground after they ranked mid-pack in rushing yardage in 2022.
The addition of Seumalo comes not long after Pittsburgh signed another former Eagles lineman in Nate Herbig. The latter inked a modest two-year deal, but a starting role was not thought to be out of the question. Regarldess of what happens with him, an upgrade at one guard spot has now been secured with Seumalo, who will look to replicate his personal and team success from his Eagles tenure in his new NFL home.
Awesome signing. Najee finally will have some holes to run through
love to see it. heard good things about this guy.
plenty of issues on the line, but absolutely need to open lanes for najee
Najee had holes to run through just didn’t hit them
He was hurt half the year
on a couple plays, but you’d be blind to say there was consistent holes for him and Warren..
they had to scrap for every yard starting with negative one
Huge fan of Najee’s at Alabama. Loved the selection. First year, it was often he, the ball and the D-line all meeting at the same time. Amazing he came out of that relatively unscathed
And given that and his injured foot, I think he was a bit gun shy in the first half of this past season but turned it on after the break week
Omar Khan don’t PLAY!!! Wow! Love this move, love all of these moves.
Now, let’s get some more help in the draft.
the debate will be is a non-top 10 rookie an upgrade over a 24 year old with 30+ starts on his resume ?
obviously Moore hasn’t been good, but I wouldn’t count on them going OT on draft day
I think they come out of this draft with Addison
Why does an OT need to start day 1? If Moore is better day 1 let him start.
Moore isn’t so bad they can’t get to the playoffs. Heck they almost made it with a worse squad and a rookie QB last year.
He AND Chuks are, together, not good enough to help the team rattle off 4 straight wins against the best teams in the league to win a SB though. I believe that in my heart of hearts. Not with Canada at the helm at least. Heck even the Bengals think Joe Brrr needs an upgrade upfront and they’ve been on the doorstep of the SB 2 years running. And Burrow IS Pickett’s ceiling. Not his current.
Draft a rookie at 17 or 32. LT or RT. Bonus if he can play both. 3 dogs, 2 bones. Hopefully by week 12 the rookie has sent one of the two to the bench. Likely Moore since Chuks is steadier and can play both positions.
Yeah, you nailed it. The front office is doing its part where adding personnel is concerned but at the end of the day, you still have a poor offensive scheme led by an even poorer coordinator
No getting around this. Somehow, some way, Canada’s play calling has to rise from a collegiate mentality
And one quick aside to Goku….yeah, I thought the idea of drafting Addison was something of a pipe dream here, just a nicety to contemplate but not a possibility. With these signings,,I think it’s a very real possibility
Lastly, Cam just said on his podcast that the D-line still needs some help. Wonder if Khan was listening
Collegiate? Try Pop Warner mentality.
ideally with Addisons lack luster 40-time (we all know he has game speed) he slips close to 32 and hear the steelers trade up to 27 to get Kenny his dude. might go at 17 tho.
im with you, they made the necessary moves in free agency (2 ILB, DT, 2 Guards, CB) to go ahead and get those soft hands underneath we need on draft day
Addison is a perfect fit between DJ and GP… and DJ on 1 year deal
adding on to that, I’d love a top TE as well.
imagine this offense with Mayer and Addison added
Pats health just can’t be trusted longterm imo
pretty awesome having 2 f*rst round picks regardless, I’m excited
Agree 100%
Khan and Weidl had a game plan with free agency and it’s provided a nice surprise
I know it’s a bit greedy, but visions of running backs plowing through the line these past couple of years has me hoping they either go for one of the guys still available as D-linemen on the free agency radar or get a big time stud in the draft. As others have said, just not many kids who are NFL-ready coming out of college
Drafting Addison in the first round is a mistake. They still need help at CB, DT, LB, and OL.
Seems to me like things are shaping up to take a defensive player in the first round. If I had to guess a position I’d say corner but could be a D lineman or an OLB too. There really isn’t a long term plan at corner and it’d be nice to get a talented rookie to learn from Patrick Peterson for a couple years. Heyward needs a running mate and eventual replacement when he retires. Ogunjobi makes the interior less of a need but still a need nonetheless. OLB room needs depth and at least a solid option to replace Highsmith if he leaves in free agency when his rookie deal ends.
Addison would be nice but I’d see that as more of a luxury than a need. Can always grab a WR in the middle rounds where they’ve had success with that position in the past.
Priority needs to be signing highsmith, to see if he needs to be replaced. Someone is going to pay him stupid Dupree-like money if he makes it to free agency
Agreed but if you and I recognize that then I’m sure he and his agent do too. There won’t be much of a discount to sign him before he reaches free agency in my opinion. Then you have a lot of money invested in two OLB and one safety with looming free agency for your starting WR1, RB, TE and eventually a QB. There’s only so many pieces of pie to go around and I feel like replacing Highsmith, if possible, is a better option than paying him unfortunately.
Highsmith last year without TJ Watt 3.5 sacks, with TJ Watt 11…. Don’t pay top dollar for a Robin instead of Batman…
I’m not a fan of Addison at 17 personally, but to say WR is a luxury but #3 OLB is a need at that pick is…interesting.
I completely understand your point, and if OLB is far and away BPA, then I could understand taking one, but WR is more of a need than OLB. Our entire WR corps is literal question-marks.
Is DJ actually a #1 and worth another extension? Is Pickens going to take another step towards being a #1 or will he “just” be a big play, low volume Z? Can Austin play at the NFL level? Why is Gunner still occupying a roster spot?
Again…I wouldn’t pound the table for one at 17, but I’d say its a bigger issue than proactively hedging OLB.
I think you have to throw secondary into it, as well as D-line if this is the end of the free agency signings
In terms of the former, I would doubt they’d have enough money for Gardner-Johnson and Rock Ya-Sin, who would be another corner
Where the latter is concerned, there are still some guys who would provide immediate help
Rather than depth at linebacker, both of those areas are suspect, even with the addition of Peterson
Word on the street is there’s mutual interest in Bud Dupree coming back.. depends on his offers
hmm I’d say OLB depth would be the luxory.
WR3 is wide open on the depth chart.. that Austen kid hasn’t proved he’s not Dri Archer yet.
and while Highsmith might sign long term, I think Dionte is almost certainly gone after the season
I’ll agree with that assessment. My main point was that I expect a defensive player with the first rounder and preferably a corner, not a wideout. I mentioned OLB more to express that it’s a position that could be in play at pick 17 rather than being a true need but I certainly wasn’t clear about that. I like the idea about trading up with the pick from the Claypool trade to get back into the first round, that 5th year option is valuable, but Addison probably wouldn’t be the guy I’d do that to get. I just feel like he’s getting pumped up by the media and fans to come to Pittsburgh for the narrative to reunite with Pickett as opposed to being the best player to get. Granted he’s a solid player but that’s a huge red flag to me.
I look at it as more chemistry than narrative.
but also I just think the guy fits perfectly between DJ & GP .. safe hands for 3rd down. good fit for MCs short passing attack.
lot of reasons I think they’ll get him.
… and with Boyd & Tee Higgs , and a chance to draft Penei Sewell , Bengals still went with chase. easy to say now that Jmarr is a rare talent, but what if he ended up with Jared Goff throwing him the ball instead? What if Bengals did a better job protecting Joe , but didn’t get those huge bailouts from Jmarr?
same thing might be said , what if we don’t have Addison to make those crucial 3rd downs look easy?
they more than likely make playoffs last year if Claypool and DJ don’t clank half the crucial drive enders.
/endrant
I like that logic and the reality is that they didn’t do anything to upgrade the WR room in free agency so it wouldn’t surprise me if they take a WR early. Personally I would’ve liked Theilen working underneath and in the middle of the field to pair with Friermuth for those situations over trusting a rookie but the end result is all that would really matter.
I get the point of comparing Burrow and Chase to Pickett and Addison but there’s a vast chasm between a #1 and #5 overall and two late teens draft picks. Ultimately I guess I’d just want a more explosive, splash play type WR if you’re gonna spend a first round choice on one. Addison at #32 I’d be much more on board with and kinda assume he’s still going to be there since he’s smaller, not as physical and put up an underwhelming 40 time compared to most recent first round wideouts.
I totally agree with being more comfortable taking Addison at 32 instead of 17, but both he and JPJ have, at times been projected going pre-17.
we saw last year Steelers taking Kenny at 20 instead of risking him not being there round 2.
could definitely see the same approach taken with JA.
Ive embraced your thinking here
I think they’ve addressed the O-line very well at this point. Other than depth that may come via Dupree, I feel the same way about linebacking
But like 75% of the rest of the league, they have some real question marks:
I think adding PP is an upgrade over Sutton. I like Kazee too. I would hope they’ll find a bigger d-back than their customary small fry. Porter or Gonzalez would be those guys
I’d prefer they get an established D-lineman rather than the draft route. Ngakoue, Campbell, Clowney, Poona Ford—hard to believe these guys aren’t getting offers
But for argument’s sake, let’s say the Steelers are done spending. Is there a bigger question mark than receiver?
Is Pickens the real thing? Can Johnson become more consistent? Is Austin going to be the speed burner we keep hearing about?
Yeah. Maybe Addison is the pick here. But I doubt he’ll be around at 32
I agree with all.of that. dline can find a boost either r2-4 or vet pickup.. we have 3 solid starters already. Jalen Carter kind of interesting if he slips to 17.. but reminds me of when Robert Nkemdiche went from 1st overall to like 25th and still ended up being worthless.
Khan knows the board better than us but JPJ and Addison both are guys who could go anywhere between 12 and 45.
should be fun to find out , and a dream if we get both.
Mel’s new mock draft made a lot of sense actually..
all gone pre-17:
CBs: Gonzalez, Weatherspoon, JPJ, Forbes
OTs: Paris, Broderick, Pete
DT: Jalen Carter
OLB: Willie, Nolan Smith
Mel had steelers repeating the Artie Burns scenario by forcing the issue at CB taking 5th ranked CB Deonte Banks
… if the board looks like that come 17 gotta go BPA (offensive weapon)
will be more worthwhile than taking the 5th rated CB or 4th OT imo.
… last year we thought we had a ton of options in a deep draft at 20 .. but the reality was it ended up coming down to Kenny or Wyatt
……
My assessment is that 3.0 was a really great job by Mel and think a lot of those guys indeed will not be available at 17.
at #17 i like the idea of:
TE Mayer (18)
OT Wright (19)
WR JSN (20)
TE Kincaid (21)
WR Addison (25)
DT Bresee (29)
DT Kancey (30)
those are in order of mocked slot , not preference
.. I think Mel’s sleeping on those 2 DTs tho especially Bresee
my preference would prob go :
1. Wright (based on position, know nothing about him)
2. Mayer (luxury but could be crazy weapon) 3. Addison (lower bcuz think they can trade-up from pick 32 to get JA at 25ish)
4. JSN (nice get, but prefer Addison for Kenny)
5. one of the DTs .. love some of these guys to play 3-4 DE position , but think bigger need is helping the offensive side of the ball /helping Kenny in year 2
A lot of factors at play here, of course. Given this scenario, I would tend to agree and think it then comes down to a DT or Addison
Some interesting ideas that will either be in place by then or will happen that eve and dictate what other teams and the Steelers do—
* are the Steelers still looking to add on via free agency? Still a lot of good linemen and secondary out there
*. what will happen with Lamar Jackson? Would not surprise me to see the Ravens peddle him for picks?
* do the Steelers believe they have the luxury of having enough picks to the point where they can trade up from 32?
Every so often, Colbert would surprise us. I think Kiper’s projection however is mired in that old way of drafting
Khan and Weidl appear to understand the needs in today’s NFL. No way I think Kiper, McShea or anyone else has an ear to the ground here
But please. No more Artie Burns-types
usually Kiper is joke, but I actually respect his recent one.
….besides his pick for steelers is awful
then again, I don’t know a ton about Banks, but CB 5 seems a reach at 17.
and I would not sleep on Bryan Bresee at 17
Mel doesn’t seem to like him , but reality is he may not even be available at 17
Ray Fittipaldo does a weekly Q&A with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. He’s the Steelers beat writer and he fields all kinds of questions
Was amazed yesterday that so many are questioning the upgrade at ILB, Patrick Peterson and the OL in general. In essence, you’d think to many these signings were scrap, that the draft had better yield some big time contributors for this season
Guess I’m somewhat stunned. My eyes must deceive me
there’s just a lot of haters in Pittsburgh
there’s still people who think Kenny can’t get the job done at the Pro level despite him being 7-6 as a rookie and showing real improvements week to week
so there’s that
This is great. The team is getting better situated to draft the best talent available rather than drafting for need.
well one move away from that.. move being either Lewan or Donovan Smith to help at LT for a year
I’d like Edmunds back at safety too.
minkah and kazee + a late pick/undrafted
Wondering if they have plans to move one of these guys to tackle
doubtful.
Herbig is a non-factor depth piece (possible backup OT, but not a starter)
Seumalo is starting LG over Dotson
Wow. Isaac Seumalo, a Pro Bowl alternate at Guard, only got 3/24m, while an always hurt backup LT, Andre Dillard, got 3/29m… No wonder Jonah Williams is asking for a trade, rather than move inside to Guard.
ya guards are greatly devalued but super necessary
which really grinds my gears that steelers coaching staff hasn’t been able to get much out of their interior line
I been saying past 2 seasons that we don’t have the skill/feet to pass block, but there’s no excuse for not moving their men in the run game, it’s 90% pure grit, pure effort 10% size/strength/skill… so Tomlin and the o-line coach should be ashamed that we’ve had to sign 4 outside-org (interior)linemen past 2 offseasons
pretty obvious that Khan isn’t happy with the interior development despite heavy investments
Aint this the truth…
Have to wonder how much money they have left and whether they’re finished in free agency (beyond Goku’s news about Dupree)
Guess I’m just fascinated as to how this front office’s methods are so different than. Colbert’s era