(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Steelers have agreed to terms on a three-year, $26.5 million contract with former Bears guard James Daniels.
Daniels, 24, was a second-round pick by the Bears in 2018 out of Iowa and started 48 out of 54 games in Chicago. Daniels started in every game last year for the Bears. He'll also be reunited with Mitch Tribuisky, who agreed to terms with the Steelers on a two-year, $14.25 million deal that can lead to $27 million with incentives.
Daniels is an athletic offensive lineman who excels in zone schemes. Watch Daniels get up to the second level in the clip below.
Along with signing Daniels, the Steelers also intend to sign Mason Cole on a three-year, $15.75 million deal with $11 million paid out in the first two years. Cole, 25, was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Michigan product started 30 games at center and two at guard in Arizona. As of right now, Cole should be the starter at center and Daniels will start at right guard.
The interior part of the offensive line was an area that the Steelers needed to upgrade, as rookie Kendrick Green and veteran Trai Turner's play last year was way below the line. Green really should have never been a Day 1 starter at center, as he started just four games at center in college and was a third-round pick.
Kevin Colbert said a few weeks ago that he regretted not getting another offensive lineman in free agency last year. And it wouldn't be surprising at all if the Steelers select an offensive lineman high in the draft. Tyler Linderbaum out of Iowa would make a lot of sense.
The projected offensive line for 2022 is a young unit, as Cole and Kevin Dotson are the oldest at 25. Slowly but surely, the Steelers are rebuilding their offensive line.
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