Steelers lose another offensive lineman via waivers, this time Derwin Gray to the Jaguars

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a little long in the tooth on their offensive line. Whether you are talking about Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro or Alejandro Villanueva, the Steelers could use some youth in their system to help fill some of these voids when these older players are phased out, one way or another.

However, for the second straight season the Steelers took a gamble by waiving a offensive linemen, likely thinking they could re-sign him after the upcoming game, only to have them picked up off waivers by another team.

In 2019 it was Fred Johnson, who was picked up off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals and is now starting for them, and in 2020 it was Derwin Gray being signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Gray had only played in 5 games this season, after spending the 2019 season on the team’s practice squad as a 7th round draft pick out of the University of Maryland. Gray was viewed as a versatile lineman who could play both guard and tackle if need be, although he seemed far more suited for the interior compared to the edge.

The Steelers’ now stare at a very thin depth chart at the guard position. After David DeCastro and rookie Kevin Dotson, the Steelers would have to rely on J.C. Hassenauer to slide to guard, or the eventual return of Matt Feiler off Injured Reserve (IR) to help lift the position group down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Gray took to Twitter to thank the Steelers organization, his teammates and coaches for all they’ve done for him since drafting him into the NFL.

The Steelers will face some difficult decisions this offseason along the offensive line, and now Gray won’t be a part of that equation moving forward.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Cleveland Browns in the regular season finale in Week 17.