Steelers Big Decision On James Daniels For 2025 Will Come By Week 1 Of 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have the offensive line set for the 2024 season. However, the projected line combination may not be the same for very long, as James Daniels is set to be a free agent after the season. If Daniels can continue to be the stud that the Steelers expected him to be back in 2022, then the team will likely try to do what is necessary to bring him back past 2024. However, the Steelers could have a plethora of options to replace Daniels with if either, he struggles, or someone else proves to be more reliable during the season.

One of these potential replacement options is Mason McCormick, a fourth-round rookie. If he can prove to be a capable lineman throughout training camp, preseason, and practice during the regular season, the Steelers could opt to let Daniels walk in free agency and let McCormick start. Mark Kaboly made an appearance on 93.7 The Fan and brought that up as well.

"If [Mason McCormick] does [push James Daniels for the starting job], we'll find out by the start of the season because if they see something that they really like here in the OTAs, in the training camp, and then in the preseason, they don't approach James Daniels for an extension. They're like 'Ok, we got a guy waiting in the wings here who can maybe play this year; a guy who can maybe take over long-term here, so we're not going to look at James Daniels...' I don't think he'll push him this year, but I think we'll be able to tell if they think he's a long-term starter by what they do with James Daniels."

If Daniels wants to stay with Pittsburgh past 2024, he has to start fighting for his job as soon as possible, but that may not even be enough. His job security depends on a combination of his play and the Steelers' confidence in their young guard. If Daniels does regress enough in 2024, McCormick's development may not even matter in terms of what the team wants to do with him. 

Since McCormick is a fourth-round pick, the Steelers will not feel much pressure to thrust McCormick into the starting role quickly. If they have confidence in him, great. If not, no worries. While Kaboly thinks that the upcoming OTAs and preseason workouts will show a lot, there is likely more to it than meets the eye. There are plenty of scenarios that the Steelers could entertain in the future. 

What Could Steelers Do About Right Guard Position In The Future?

If Daniels struggles and McCormick does not develop as quickly as the team hopes, they're not completely screwed yet. With over $83 million in cap space for 2025, they could go out and sign a veteran to a short-term deal, especially if a guy like Zach Martin or Kevin Zeitler ends up leaving their respective teams in free agency. There are many outside options for the Steelers if they feel the need to find an outside option.

If the Steelers want more of a long-term solution, they may have already drafted that option. Troy Fautanu was seen as a guy that might do better if he switched to guard as opposed to playing tackle like he did in college. If he also has his issues in his rookie season, the Steelers could slide him over to right guard and replace Daniels, then try to find someone else to play tackle. 

There are plenty of other options for the Steelers as well, like drafting another guard in the 2025 draft or even trying out Spencer Anderson as a starter. If Daniels does not want any of the aforementioned options to happen, he will need to keep playing at a high level and show the Steelers that he deserves a contract extension. If he can't, then the Steelers won't have much of a problem replacing him, either with McCormick or someone else.