The Pittsburgh Steelers invested considerable draft capital into rebuilding their inconsistent offensive line. That investment could prove important sooner than later. Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reported the Steelers are not working on a contract extension with standout right guard James Daniels prior to the start of the season.
#Steelers guard James Daniels told me today that he's been informed that there will not be talks of a contract extension between him and the team this offseason.https://t.co/BkmWabHliG
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) May 29, 2024
James Daniels Contract Extension Not Prioritized by Pittsburgh Steelers
This news is a bit of a headscratcher for the Steelers. Last season, Daniels was their second-best offensive lineman at worst. His counterpart at left guard, Isaac Seumalo, may have been slightly better, but the two guards were by far the biggest bright spots along Pittsburgh’s shaky offensive line. Overall, Daniels has been very dependable since coming to the Steelers prior to the 2022 season, missing just two games in two seasons and playing every offensive snap outside of those two games.
Extending James Daniels Could Get Expensive
The biggest reason for the skepticism surrounding this decision is that Daniels is set up nicely to play himself into a bigger contract next offseason. While guards don’t earn the gaudy contracts we see offensive tackles sign every year, teams are still eager to pay up for quality offensive line play. Given his consistency and dependability, Daniels will earn himself a hefty contract next year if he maintains the level of play he is expected to in 2024.
Further, this season has the potential to be Daniels’ best season in Pittsburgh due to the new-look offense they will showcase in 2024. Arthur Smith’s style of offense will really give James Daniels a chance to thrive. While he has been a great pass blocker, Daniels is strong in the run game, too, and he is a very good athlete in space. Smith will have the Steelers running the ball frequently, and there will be plenty of pulling from the interior offensive linemen. Daniels has a great chance to thrive and earn a big contract, which will leave the Steelers wishing they extended his contract before he became more expensive.
Potential Starter Waiting in the Wings
When the Steelers drafted Mason McCormick in the fourth round of the draft out of South Dakota State, it was a surprising move. They had already selected offensive linemen with their first two picks, and guard wasn’t seen as a pressing need. However, McCormick is not seen as a year-one starter. So, if Pittsburgh wanted to sit him and potentially make him a starter in year two, it could make sense to move on from Daniels. While an unknown quantity, McCormick on a rookie contract will be substantially cheaper than James Daniels after a large extension.
Planning to replace a quality right guard with a fourth-round pick from an FCS school is risky. If Pittsburgh’s plan really is to replace Daniels with McCormick in 2025, it could backfire tremendously. He could struggle to turn his potential into production at the professional level. On the other hand, if he develops into the player Pittsburgh expects him to become, this move will pay huge dividends. In that scenario, they would have a starting-caliber right guard on a rookie contract for three seasons.
It could work out in the long run, but the Steelers’ decision to not prioritize a James Daniels contract extension is a questionable one for now.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
