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The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent plenty of time building around Aaron Rodgers for what is likely to be his last NFL season. Now they need to protect him. Taylor Decker is still sitting in free agency, and Pittsburgh should not ignore that for much longer. The Steelers have chased weapons, familiarity, and offensive comfort for Rodgers, but none of that matters if the protection breaks down during his final push. Decker is not a flashy signing. That is why it makes so much sense.
MORE: More NFL teams need to follow how the Lions dealt with Terrion Arnold
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) warms up before the game between Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.
He is a veteran left tackle with years of starting experience, and he is the type of player who can raise the floor of an offensive line immediately. Pittsburgh does not need him to be a long-term franchise solution. It needs him to be a short-term answer for a quarterback who cannot afford to spend Sundays taking unnecessary hits.
Rodgers can still make special throws. But he is not the same quarterback who could erase constant pressure with movement and improvisation. At this stage, the Steelers should be doing everything possible to keep the pocket cleaner and the offense on schedule.
That is where Decker fits. Adding another receiver would be more fun. Signing another Rodgers-friendly target would produce bigger headlines. But tackle insurance may be the move that actually matters most once the season starts.
The Steelers are trying to win now. That means they cannot treat offensive line depth like a minor detail. One injury or one weak spot up front could undo all of the effort Pittsburgh has made to turn Rodgers’ arrival into a real championship push.
Decker would not guarantee anything. He would, however, give the Steelers a proven veteran at a premium position and one more layer of protection around the most important player on the roster.
Pittsburgh does not need another symbolic move. It needs a practical one. If Rodgers is truly the plan, protecting him has to be the priority.
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MORE: More NFL teams need to follow how the Lions dealt with Terrion Arnold
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Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) warms up before the game between Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024.
He is a veteran left tackle with years of starting experience, and he is the type of player who can raise the floor of an offensive line immediately. Pittsburgh does not need him to be a long-term franchise solution. It needs him to be a short-term answer for a quarterback who cannot afford to spend Sundays taking unnecessary hits.
Rodgers can still make special throws. But he is not the same quarterback who could erase constant pressure with movement and improvisation. At this stage, the Steelers should be doing everything possible to keep the pocket cleaner and the offense on schedule.
That is where Decker fits. Adding another receiver would be more fun. Signing another Rodgers-friendly target would produce bigger headlines. But tackle insurance may be the move that actually matters most once the season starts.
The Steelers are trying to win now. That means they cannot treat offensive line depth like a minor detail. One injury or one weak spot up front could undo all of the effort Pittsburgh has made to turn Rodgers’ arrival into a real championship push.
Decker would not guarantee anything. He would, however, give the Steelers a proven veteran at a premium position and one more layer of protection around the most important player on the roster.
Pittsburgh does not need another symbolic move. It needs a practical one. If Rodgers is truly the plan, protecting him has to be the priority.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
Continue reading...
