WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Steelers felt they got pushed around too much on both sides of the line in 2021. It has been their goal to improve that in 2022.
The signings of James Daniels and Mason Cole in free agency should help improve that on the offensive line. And the team remains optimistic it will get Stephon Tuitt back on the defensive side of things to help do that, as well.
Speaking Sunday here at The Breakers Resort, the site of the NFL's annual spring meetings, for the first time since the season ended, Mike Tomlin is upbeat about both of those things.
The signings of Daniels from the Bears and Cole from the Vikings and combining them with returnees Kevin Dotson and Kendrick Green gives the Steelers four potential starters for the three interior offensive line spots. And because Daniels, Cole and Green all having starting experience at center, the Steelers can have a true competition for both guard spots as well as the center position.
"We value competition. The position flexibility of all involved kind of tee up that environment," Tomlin said. "I’m excited about watching those guys sort themselves out and having a really solid group no matter how they sort themselves out because of the position flexibility that is possessed by the four guys."
Green was the Steelers' starting center as a rookie in 2021 after being selected in the third round of the draft. But he struggled over the course of the season while making the transition from being a player who had primarily been a guard in college.
The Steelers could move Green back to his more natural position and going with Daniels or Cole at center.
"I’m open to it. He had true position flexibility in college. All the other guys do, as well," Tomlin said. "We really feel good about having the opportunity to put the pieces together to put the very best unit that we can on the field and not only that, but have quality depth to address attrition and the things that naturally happen."
It's also possible Dotson could be the odd man out. A fourth-round pick in 2020, the team was unhappy with his preparation for the 2021 season. And he missed the final six games of the season and the team's playoff game with a high ankle sprain.
How that will sort itself out in the offseason program and training camp remains to be seen. But the Steelers now have plenty of options.
"Kendrick Green was a starting center, but he played more guard in college. So really those three, they have starting capabilities in either position," general manager Kevin Colbert said Sunday. "And that was very attractive for us. I think, again, coach and his staff will find a comfort level with a different mix and match possibilities. But you know, both Mason Cole and James Daniels being able to play both was very important to us."
While adding talent on the offensive line was a must, the Steelers haven't done so on the defensive line, perhaps showing the level of belief they have in a return for Tuitt after missing all of last season with a knee injury and the death of his brother in a hit-and-run accident in June.
The 29-year-old has been in Pittsburgh and at the UMPC-Rooney Sports Complex in recent weeks, though nobody seems willing to declare 100 percent that he'll resume playing football in 2022.
But the fact the Steelers haven't added any outside free agents at the position -- only re-signing backup nose tackle Montravius Adams -- suggests the team believes Tuitt will play.
"I’m excited and optimistic, but I don’t have any definitive information regarding his participation as we sit here," Tomlin said of a potential return by Tuitt.
That and the return of nose tackle Tyson Alualu, who played five quarters in 2021 before suffering a fractured ankle that ended his season, could be why the Steelers have kept the status quo on their defensive line despite finishing dead last in 2021 against the run.
Tuitt is scheduled to count $13.975 million against the team's 2022 salary cap with a base salary of just over $9 million. If he doesn't play or is released at some point, the Steelers would save $4.3 million against their cap.
They would much rather have the player -- Tuitt was one of just three players in the AFC in 2020 who reached double digits in sacks -- than not.
"Stephon, we’re very hopeful that he can continue his NFL career because he’s a very significant player," Colbert said. "In the meantime, Chris Wormley can fill that position. And I qualify him as a starter, as well."