In advance of their first preseason game, the Steelers have made a pair of additions. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat and quarterback Logan Woodside were signed on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
Peat played for the Saints from 2015-23. During that span, the former first-rounder largely split his time between left tackle and left guard. Toward the end of his New Orleans tenure, Peat was exclusively used on the interior. That resulted in a stretch including three consecutive Pro Bowl nods (2018-20), but last offseason a fresh start was sought out.
On the open market, Peat took a one-year, $2MM pact with the Raiders. Doing so appeared to set him up to compete for a starting gig, but despite playing 15 games last season the 31-year-old logged only 57 snaps. After a lengthy stay in free agency this offseason, Peat will look to earn a roster spot with Pittsburgh as a veteran depth option.
Woodside has only 13 regular season appearances and no starts to his name. The former seventh-rounder is, however, a familiar face to Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The two worked together in Tennessee and again in Atlanta. With Aaron Rodgers and other starters not playing against the Jaguars on Saturday (per head coach Mike Tomlin), Woodside could find himself in the quarterback rotation.
That is especially true since sixth-round rookie Will Howard is currently dealing with an injury in his throwing hand. Tomlin said (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) this is a short-term issue, adding Howard could be available to play later in the preseason. A broken finger is the issue in this case, as noted by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor; surgery will not be needed. In Rodgers’ absence and with Howard on the mend, Mason Rudolph should be in position to handle starting duties for Pittsburgh’s preseason opener.
To make from for the additions of Peat and Woodside, long snapper Tucker Addington and guard Nick Broeker have been waived. Provided both of them go unclaimed, they will become free agents and seek out a new opportunity during the closing weeks of the offseason.
It’s not a given the O-line is gonna be any good/take the next step and depth is already questionable so good veteran signing. He should get snaps all season if he makes the squad
Fair points, but Peat really has never been that good himself. The Saints really liked him for some reason, though, and give him some big contracts that didn’t reflect his level of play, so he’s got a lot of experience. From that perspective, he definitely can be a decent fill-in. Hopefully he doesn’t have to start, but yes, I think Steelers fans would like to see the line prove its chops this year, especially with a 40+ year old QB under center.
Been hearing rumors that Rodgers hasnt looked that great in camp. Maybe just on a short-throw pitch count till the regular season starts. In New Orleans, Rattler is outplaying Shough but its still early …
There are stories out there of Rodgers missing receivers on deep throws in camp. I hope it’s just adjustments needed and not a case of him having issues reading the field in front of him.
Well, Woodside is simply in to take snaps as an injury replacement for Howard, as someone who has been under Smith’s system before and can pick up the offense quickly.