Steelers News: With an aging offensive line, the Steelers might be wise to start adding to the cupboard

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is over, but if you think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over — think again. For the drama-filled Steelers, things are just heating up, and this is where the daily links article comes in. You might have missed some key news, and we fill you in and give you the latest, and sometimes greatest, news surrounding the Steelers.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at whether the Steelers should start adding some depth along the offensive line...after all, those players aren’t getting any younger.

Let’s get to the news:

• The 2019 NFL Draft is on the horizon, and one of the last possible positions fans are thinking the team should target is the offensive line. But should it be a concern moving forward?

NFL Draft: Interior line looks solid but aging

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like the Steelers could possibly be in the market for an interior offensive lineman.

After all, left guard Ramon Foster, who’s been with the team longer than anyone not named Ben Roethlisberger, was set to head into free agency. And it didn’t appear the Steelers were going to make a push to re-sign the 33-year-old.

Then, surprisingly, the Steelers did an about face, signing Foster to a two-year, $8.25-million contract, keeping the interior of their line of Foster, center Maurkice Pouncey -- who also signed a contract extension -- and right guard David DeCastro intact for the eighth-straight season, something unheard of in today’s NFL.

It also means they’re all getting up in age.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Mason Rudolph is looking to beat our Joshua Dobbs for the QB2 role in 2019, and he realizes he has a lot of work to do.

Rudolph: ‘I need to do a lot’

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

In his first full NFL offseason the young quarterback, who was one of the Steelers third round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, is focused on improving in every area, including the mental and physical side of things.

“I need to do a lot,” said Rudolph. “I need to keep our offense fresh in my mind this offseason. The last thing you want to do is not revisit stuff and look back at Week 2 and say what did we call here, what was effective, what could we have called better, what worked.

“You have to do a self-scout evaluation of each game, even if you weren’t playing. Go back and watch it again and stay in the playbook.”

Rudolph has been back in Pittsburgh for a few weeks already, and will be taking part in the team’s full offseason program, something he didn’t have the luxury to do last year. And he is leaning on the relationships he built last season, communicating with the receivers and guys he will be working with when the team takes the field for OTAs in May.

To read the full article, click HERE

• If there is a player who could be viewed as the leading candidate to take a big step forward in 2019, it might just be the 2018 first round pick Terrell Edmunds. He is ready for that next step.

Edmunds ready to take the next step

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Last year was a process for first-round draft pick Terrell Edmunds. From rookie minicamp, to training camp and through the season, there were lessons learned along the way. Lessons that helped him grow each and every week, and will continue to help him grow this offseason and beyond.

“Being in the NFL for just one year already has been amazing,” said Edmunds. “The ups and downs, the adversity you face along the way and just still fighting. That’s the biggest thing throughout the year you have to adjust to.

“The more and more snaps you get under your belt, you get more and more comfortable. Once you get more comfortable, you can play your game and take more chances. And play that game that you know how to play like the back of your hand. It’s just not thinking because you know the system and to play like you know how to play and react.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• In light of the Rooney Rule, where minority candidates should be at least interviewed for openings, Mike Tomlin realizes it was a bad year for minority candidates looking for work in the NFL.

Mike Tomlin: This was disappointing hiring cycle for minorities

By: Charean Williams, ProFootballTalk

Since Dan Rooney — the namesake of the Rooney Rule — died two years ago this month, NFL teams have made 15 head coaching hires with Flores and Steve Wilks the only African-Americans. Wilks lasted only one season in Arizona.

“I think the numbers speak for themselves in that regard,” Tomlin said, via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It was a disappointing hiring cycle for someone who watches it like I do, knowing some of the deserving men I do who I thought should have gotten an opportunity and didn’t. But we’ll continue to work and fight for equality and opportunity.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• AFC North Links

Despite retirement rumors, the Ravens are expecting Marshal Yanda to play in 2019

Welcome to the ‘Liar’s Luncheon’ before the 2019 NFL Draft

For once, the Browns are having to block out the noise and just focus on football

OBJ was ‘shocked’ by being traded to the Browns, but is cool with it now

Is AJ Green posturing for a new deal with a new team?

• Social Media Madness