Just one day after re-signing Maurkice Pouncey and Ramon Foster, the Steelers are making more moves along the offensive line.
Only this time, a player isn’t staying — he’s leaving.
Marcus Gilbert took to Twitter Friday morning to fire off this cryptic tweet:
Next chapter ???
— Marcus Gilbert (@MarcusGilbert88) March 8, 2019
Sources then told Dale Lolley the Steelers intend to move on from Gilbert. While the team had told him as recently as Wednesday he was still in their future plans, things shifted Thursday night, ending Gilbert's time in Pittsburgh.
Sources tell me the Steelers had planned to keep Marcus Gilbert in 2019 but changed their minds in the past two days. The right tackle should find a solid market if he is released. We'll see what the trade market is. But a lot of teams could use a guy like him. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) March 8, 2019
Then, Adam Schefter rolled in with the final blow:
This deal is for a late 6th-round pick, per source. https://t.co/F88NJymMew
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2019
This year, the Cardinals owned the first pick of the sixth round, 175th overall, and the 209th overall pick. Based on Schefter's verbiage, it seems the Steelers will receive the 209th overall pick in return for Gilbert.
The eight-year veteran spent his entire professional career to this point in Pittsburgh, notably being named Steelers Rookie of the Year in 2011. He was set to make $4.865 million in 2019, the final year of his contract.
Gilbert played just five games last season before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. In 2017, Gilbert appeared in seven games due to a combination of injury and suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He's played a full, 16-game season just twice in his career.
HUNTER'S VIEW
There's no doubt Gilbert is an elite tackle — when he's on the field.
Last season, though, Matt Feiler filled in at right tackle and played well in Gilbert's absence. When Feiler battled through his own injuries, the Steelers turned to Chuks Okorafor, their third-round draft pick in 2018. Okorafor is extremely raw, not unlike a certain left tackle — Alejandro Villanueva — who has emerged as one of the best in the league despite little experience at the position before arriving in Pittsburgh. Jerald Hawkins and Zach Banner are also waiting in the wings, setting up a competition to watch as we head into 2019.
One thing to keep in mind is the departure of offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who will serve the same position for the Broncos in 2019. Was the development of Villanueva his doing? Can his replacement and former assistant Shaun Sarrett work similar magic in further developing Feiler, Okorafor and company?
That remains to be seen, but when factoring in Gilbert's injury history, his salary and the other options the Steelers have on hand, it's hard to view this as anything but a positive moving forward. A late sixth-round pick isn't much, but it's something.
Keeping the entire line intact would have been ideal, but this move should ultimately be best for the organization's future.