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A position that was once one of the Pittsburgh Steelers' main strengths during their glory days has become a major question mark for a team that has now gone seven seasons without a playoff victory.
The Steelers always seemed to be stable at center.
Except for a few seasons, Ray Mansfield (1968-75), Mike Webster (1976-88), Dermontti Dawson (1989-2000), Jeff Hartings (2001-06) and Maurkice Pouncey (2010-20) anchored the offensive line for more than a half century.
The solid and consistent play at center was a major reason the Steelers were always a strong running team and a consistent playoff contender.
After the Kendrick Green experiment at center failed in 2021, Mason Cole was signed as a free agent in 2022. He wasn't too impressive in his two seasons before being released last week.
That leaves the Steelers currently without a starting center as free agency approaches at 4 p.m. on March 13.
The Steelers have become bigger players in free agency than they've been in the past, and they are expected to make a few signings this year as well.
The release of Cole, quarterback Mitch Trubisky, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and punter Pressley Harvin III freed up cap room for general manager Omar Khan to make some competitive offers to players who might be able to help the team improve on last season's 10-7 record.
Center is just one position of need. Quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line, inside linebacker, cornerback and punter are other areas that could use upgrades ahead of the April 25-27 NFL draft.
With that in mind, the following is a position-by-position look at the current roster heading into free agency with contract status for each player - including average salary - in parentheses:
Quarterbacks
Current roster: Kenny Pickett ($3.5M through 2026), Mason Rudolph (unrestricted free agent)
Analysis: Quarterback is a big question mark. The Steelers haven't given up on Pickett, and he'll get a chance to work with a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith. Rudolph played well down the stretch but will be free to sign with any other team. If the Steelers re-sign Rudolph, they'll probably be secretly hoping Pickett takes a big step in the offseason and wins the starting job again with Rudolph ready as the backup. They could also try to sign Baker Mayfield or Russell Wilson or make a deal for Justin Fields as better competition for Pickett. Other options could be signing Ryan Tannehill, Gardner Minshew or Sam Darnold if they don't get a deal with Rudolph.
Running backs
Current roster: Najee Harris ($3.2M through 2025), Jaylen Warren ($860,000 through 2024), Godwin Igwebuike (restricted free agent), Alfonzo Graham ($900,000 through 2025), Aaron Shampklin (futures), Jack Colletto (futures)
Analysis: The Steelers boast a good 1-2 punch with Harris and Warren, but they need some depth in the backfield. That would come more than likely in the draft as opposed to free agency. The Steelers won't be in the market for some of the top free agent running backs such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs.
Wide receivers
Current roster: George Pickens ($1.7M through 2025), Diontae Johnson ($18.3M through 2024), Allen Robinson II ($15.5M through 2024), Calvin Austin III ($1M through 2025), Miles Boykin (unrestricted free agent), Deuce Watts (futures), Dez Fitzpatrick (futures), Denzel Mims (futures), Marquez Callaway (futures), Keilahn Harris (futures)
Analysis: Wide receiver is an interesting position. Pickens and Johnson went through some ups and downs in 2023, but they ended the season on high notes. Robinson could still be released to free up some cap room, but he adds a veteran presence that was needed at times last year. If the Steelers don't plan on keeping Robinson, they could go after Curtis Samuel or Pittsburgh native Tyler Boyd in free agency. But the way the Steelers have enjoyed success at drafting receivers, that would seem to be one of the positions they'll address in late April.
Tight ends
Current roster: Pat Freiermuth ($1.5M through 2024), Connor Heyward ($950,000 through 2025), Darnell Washington ($1.3M through 2026), Rodney Williams ($830,000 through 2024)
Analysis: Freiermuth is in the final year of his rookie contract and probably will get a new deal in the offseason. With Heyward and Washington as backups, tight end is not one of the top issues facing the Steelers right now. The free agency tight end group isn't one of the better ones, either.
Offensive line
Current roster: C-Ryan McCollum (futures); OG-Isaac Seumalo ($8M through 2025), James Daniels ($8.8M through 2024), Nate Herbig ($4M through 2024), Joey Fisher (futures); OT-Dan Moore Jr. ($1M through 2024), Broderick Jones ($4.1M through 2027), Spencer Anderson ($980,000 through 2026), Dylan Cook (equal rights free agent), Kellen Diesch (futures), Tyler Beach (futures), Devery Hamilton (futures), Anderson Hardy (futures)
Analysis: If the Steelers don't sign one of the top free agent centers, they'll most likely need to use one of their top picks in the NFL draft on one - namely Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon or West Virginia's Zach Frazier. Herbig or Anderson could play center, but they would be better used as backups. Some of the top free agent centers include Denver's Lloyd Cushenberry, Las Vegas' Andre James, Miami's Connor Williams (coming off knee injury) and Tennessee's Aaron Brewer. It's hard to tell how much of an upgrade from Cole any of those will be and how much it would cost to sign one, but don't be surprised to see the Steelers go after one. With Moore, Daniels and Herbig in the final years of their contracts, the Steelers will have to make decisions soon about whether those linemen fit in their future, but they don't need to sign any free agent guards or tackles this year.
Defensive line
Current roster: DT-Cameron Heyward ($16.4M through 2024), Armon Watts (unrestricted free agent), Renell Wren (restricted free agent), Jacob Slade (futures); DE-Larry Ogunjobi ($9.6M through 2025), Isaiahh Loudermilk ($950,000 through 2024), DeMarvin Leal ($1.3M through 2025); NT-Keeanu Benton ($1.8M through 2026), Montravius Adams (unrestricted free agent), Jonathan Marshall (futures)
Analysis: The Steelers need some help on the defensive line with Heyward most likely playing his final season in 2024. Plus, players like Loudermilk and Leal haven't played at an elite level. The Steelers might try and re-sign Adams to pair with Benton again in the middle or they might - if they're willing to spend more money -- go after a free agent like Christian Wilkins, Grover Stewart or DJ Reader. If the Steelers hope to end their playoff victory drought, improvements on the defensive line are a must.
Linebackers
Current roster: ILB-Elandon Roberts ($3.5M through 2024), Cole Holcomb ($6M through 2025), Kwon Alexander (unrestricted free agent), Mark Robinson ($940,000 through 2025), Mykal Walker (unrestricted free agent), Blake Martinez (unrestricted free agent), Chapelle Russell (restricted free agent), Tyler Murray (futures); OLB-T.J. Watt ($28M through 2025), Alex Highsmith ($17M through 2027), Nick Herbig ($1.1M through 2026), Markus Golden (unrestricted free agent), Kyron Johnson ($940,000 through 2024), Jeremiah Moon (equal rights free agent), David Perales (futures)
Analysis: Inside linebacker was one of the areas the Steelers addressed in last year's free agency, signing Roberts and Holcomb and later adding Alexander. Holcomb and Alexander had a history of injury issues, and they both sustained season-ending injuries in 2023. Roberts did a good job last year and figures to be a starter again this year. If Holcomb is able to stay healthy, he forms a nice pair with Roberts, but that is a big "if.'' The Steelers could go after an inside backer, like Patrick Queen, Lavonte David, Azeez Al-Shaair, Bobby Wagner, Josey Jewell, Anthony Walker or Devin White. But they can't afford to spend too much money on one. The team might also re-sign Golden as a backup on the outside to Watt and Highsmith because he served that role well in 2023.
Defensive backs
Current roster: CB-Patrick Peterson ($7M through 2024), Joey Porter Jr. ($2.4M through 2026), Levi Wallace (unrestricted free agent), James Pierre (unrestricted free agent), Cory Trice Jr. ($980,000 through 2026), Luq Barcoo (futures), Kalon Barnes (futures), Thomas Graham Jr. (futures); Nickel-Chandon Sullivan (unrestricted free agent), Darius Rush ($830,000 through 2024). Safeties-Minkah Fitzpatrick ($18.4M through 2026), Keanu Neal ($2.1M through 2024), Damontae Kazee ($3M through 2024), Trenton Thompson ($830,000 through 2024), Miles Killebrew (unrestricted free agent), Elijah Riley (unrestricted free agent), Nathan Meadors (futures), Jalen Elliott (futures), Josiah Scott (futures)
Analysis: At safety, the Steelers have decent depth but will most likely want to re-sign special teams Pro Bowler Killebrew. At cornerback, Porter was a bright spot as a rookie, but Peterson showed his age at times. Wallace and Sullivan are both free agents, and of the two, expect the Steelers to re-sign Sullivan because he did a decent job as a nickel back. The Steelers could try and make an offer to a free agent corner, like Jaylon Johnson, Stephen Gilmore, Chidobe Awuzie, Rock Ya-Sin or ex-Steeler Steven Nelson, to help free up Peterson to do more roaming in the secondary. But they might be better off trying to select a corner - like they did with Porter - in this year's draft.
Special teams
Current roster: K-Chris Boswell ($5M through 2026); P-None; Long snapper-Christian Kuntz (restricted free agent)
Analysis: With Harvin gone, the Steelers need a punter, and don't expect them to select one in the draft - that hasn't worked out multiple times for them. There are enough free agent punters - like Thomas Morstead, Braden Mann, Cameron Johnston, Rigoberto Sanchez or Tommy Townsend - that the Steelers should be able to sign a decent one.