The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent much of this offseason reshaping their roster, but one area still quietly in need of reinforcement is the interior offensive line. After losing Isaac Seumalo to the Arizona Cardinals, they appear to have a hole at left guard. If they’re serious about stabilizing the offense and protecting their long-term quarterback plans, signing Lloyd Cushenberry III, and moving him to guard, should be near the top of their priority list.
Unfortunately for Cushenberry, he struggled mightily last year, leading to the Tennessee Titans letting him go with an injury designation. He earned a 55.2 grade from Pro Football Focus last season, which was 36th out of 40 qualifying centers, but his recovery from various injuries likely played a large role. In 2024, Cushenberry tore his Achilles tendon and was lost for the season. He returned in 2025, starting 15 games.
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There’s also a physical element to his game that fits what Pittsburgh wants to be. The Steelers have long prided themselves on a tough, downhill rushing attack, and adding a center who can hold his ground and create push up front would help re-establish that identity, especially when considering the backfield duo of Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are more power than finesse.
From a roster-building perspective, the move makes even more sense. Free agency is about finding value, and Cushenberry is still young enough (28) to be part of a multi-year solution rather than just a stopgap. He wouldn’t just fill a hole — if healthy, he could provide stability for multiple years.
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