During the previous offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers strengthened their offensive line through the NFL draft. In order to strengthen their offensive line in 2024, the Steelers should look into an unconventional trade option, according to the NFL scouting department as reported by Bleacher Report.
It was suggested by Bleacher Report that the Steelers sign Ted Karras, a center, from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Finding a left tackle in the trade market to replace Dan Moore Jr. is challenging, but finding a center to replace Mason Cole isn’t as tough, according to the BR staff. “The Bengals would lose $6.4 million in cap space in exchange for Ted Karras, a reliable veteran center who would improve the offensive line.”
Karras would be a better starting center for the Steelers than Mason Cole, who had a difficult 2023.
Even though it would save them cap room, that fact might discourage the Bengals from taking such a risk. In the NFL, trades that directly improve a rival team are uncommon, particularly when they occur within the same division.
Karras spent one season with the Miami Dolphins and five with the New England Patriots prior to joining the Bengals. Karras won two Super Bowls with the Patriots in 2016–17 and 2018–19.
The Steelers luring Karras away from their division foe would be a pretty big move, assuming the trade price was fair.
Pro Football Focus player grades rank Karras as the 11th-best center among players who played over 1,000 offensive snaps in the previous campaign. His PFF score was 67.4 out of 100.
Karras concluded the season with a PFF grade of 65 or above for the eighth time in a row.
Out of his six NFL seasons, Cole has four PFF grades below 60. In 2023, he received a career-low grade of 53.2.
Cole finished 18th out of 20 centers with more than 1,000 snaps.
Cole had the most difficulty with pass protection. In terms of pass blocking, he was placed 52nd out of 56 centers who participated in the previous season
Karras’s strength is her pass protection. He was ranked 22nd out of 56 centers who participated in 2023 by PFF in terms of pass blocking.
The Steelers’ priority this offseason will be to upgrade the position of center in any way. For quarterback Kenny Pickett, however, acquiring a center with superior pass protection would be extremely beneficial.
One major question remains: could the veteran center fit in Pittsburgh? Even if the Bengals are willing to part with Karras’ money and send him to a division foe.
Are the Steelers able to pay him?
As of January 31, the Steelers are over $14.2 million over the salary cap, according to Spotrac. The Steelers’ offseason options are anticipated to be limited by the cap, despite the fact that they have a few clear cut candidates.
Karras’ three-year deal with the Bengals will soon come to an end. In 2024, he will be considered a $7.37 million cap hit.
According to Bleacher Report, the Bengals will free up $6.4 million in salary space if they sell Karras. However, it’s challenging to project how much the center may cost the Steelers in a trade using this hypothetical.
The specific financials of the agreement would need to be negotiated between the Bengals and Steeler
The Steelers may be able to squeeze Karras under their salary cap if Cincinnati wants the trade severely enough.
To for the Bengals to feel obligated to not only move a seasoned player to Pittsburgh but also make him an affordable option for the Steelers, the Steelers would probably need to make a very alluring offer.
Dave Holcomb is a sportswriter for Heavy.com who covers the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. Holcomb, who is originally from Pittsburgh, has covered professional and collegiate sports for publications like Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker. Additional information on Dave Holcomb
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