Steelers Top Center Targets Get A New Name After Another Release

As the 2024 offseason continues, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a crucial situation regarding finding a new starting center. With the release of Mason Cole, Pittsburgh is likely to look in free agency as well as at prospects in the draft. With the possibility of not landing any top centers in the draft in April, here are the top five centers that could end up in Pittsburgh that will be available via free agency. 

1.) Connor Williams

Former second-round pick in 2018 out of Texas, Connor Williams, started his career by spending four years with the Dallas Cowboys before then signing a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. As a versatile interior lineman, Williams is highly regarded around the league. He started off in Dallas being drafted as a guard, but then soon was moved inside to center and flourished. Williams is ranked second in PFF's current center rankings. 

Williams has already suffered two significant injuries already in his six-year career, tearing his ACL twice (2019 and 2023). He is still in his recovery process from his latest injury, but should be good to go by the start of the 2024 season. Injuries like those are concerning, but Steelers' General Manger Omar Khan has a special appreciation for those who are versatile on the offensive line. As long as recovery goes smoothly for Williams, he could be a great addition to the Steelers' line in 2024. 

2.) Lloyd Cushenberry

A 2020 third-round pick by the Denver Broncos, Lloyd Cushenberry is starting to make a career for himself. His first few years as a young center didn't start off so hot in Denver, but he quickly turned his future around as he's coming off his best season thus far. Ranked 10th best in the league by Pro Football Focus, Cushenberry allowed just one sack in 2023 while playing over 1,000 snaps. Cushenberry also excelled as a run blocker, especially in an outside zone scheme, which is promising for Steelers fans considering new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith plans to run the rock.

After having such an improved season, Cushenberry will look for a bigger pay after finishing his rookie contract. Denver is still managing their way through their cap space, and being forced to pay now free agent quarterback Russell Wilson roughly $39 million won't be doing them any favors. Cushenberry will likely step away from Denver and seek a new team to snap for. 

3.) Tyler Biadasz

Dallas' former center Tyler Biadasz is also an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Biadasz is drawing a lot of attention by teams around the league thus far, as the 2022 Pro Bowler doesn't seem to have much interest in returning to Dallas. 

Biadasz has been somewhat consistently healthy aside from his rookie year in 2020. The center has played at least 16 games in each of his last three seasons with Dallas. As a lineman who has been part of a powerhouse offense, Biadasz could just be what the Steelers need. 

4.) Bradely Bozeman

The Carolina Panthers plan to release center Bradley Bozeman this week, however it would be due to performance on the field, and not salary cap issues. Bozeman started off his career playing well for Baltimore, but took a step back as Carolina's starting center. The Panthers' starting offensive line as a whole struggled though, allowing 62 sacks last season. Bozeman has shown signs of being a quality center, and maybe Carolina just wasn't the right fit for him. 

Bozeman is also great off of the field, as he was the Panthers' 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee. A Bozeman signing in Pittsburgh would probably only be ideal if they land one of the better centers early in the draft coming up and paid him cheap.

Steelers' Meeting With Mitch Morse Did Not End With Contract; Still Could Be An Option

Free agent Mitch Morse has already met with the Steelers recently, but did not leave the meeting with a contract. After finishing his time with the Buffalo Bills, Morse has been meeting with teams like the Steelers to negotiate. Morse is another center on this list who has a Pro Bowl under his belt (2022), and has also been a part of a high powered offense for years. The Steelers may look to keep negotiating with Morse in attempt to get him on their offensive line, which would be a huge help.