Pittsburgh Steelers rookie offensive tackle, Broderick Jones has been a great addition to the team's line leading one of the NFL's best rushing attacks since Week 9 of the 2023 season. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have been dominating opposing defenses which has led to the team being 3-1 since a Thursday Night Football contest against the Tennessee Titans. Lost in the positive conversation surrounding the offensive line has been Chukwuma Okorafor, who hasn't contributed since Jones took over for him at right tackle. Okorafor, who signed a three-year, $29.2 million contract before the 2022 season, could be in his last season with Pittsburgh.
If the tackle tandem of Jones and Dan Moore Jr. continues to improve throughout the 2023 campaign, one should wonder if the Steelers will release Okorafor in order to save cap space. Per Over The Cap, Pittsburgh would save nearly $9 million if Okorafor is released in 2024 and would only incur a dead cap hit of roughly $3.1 million. It might make too much sense when the opportunity eventually presents itself.
Longtime Steelers insider, Gerry Dulac, hosted his weekly fan chat on Wednesday. A lot of the conversation had to do with Diontae Johnson's recent antics as well as the fresh offense under new leadership. When the offensive line came up, Dulac made it clear that he is certain that Okorafor will not be wearing the black and gold in the 2024 season.
"They are not going to keep Chuks next year with what he will cost them, which includes a $4 million roster bonus in March. Dan Moore comes a lot cheaper," Dulac wrote.
Dulac makes a great point. Jones is clearly efficient and while it may be a toss up between Okorafor and Moore Jr., the latter is still on a rookie contract. The only benefit of moving on from Moore Jr. would be moving Jones over to his expected future position on the left side. For now, though, it seems as if the current situation is working. The only problem is a $29 million guy sitting on the bench. It makes little sense to keep Okorafor after 2023.
The same fan asked if Jones would be able to get to the position the team drafted him to be the future at: left tackle. As long as Moore Jr. is around and starting however, Dulac expects Jones to remain on the right side.
"As for switching sides, I don't think Dan Moore is a good enough run blocker to play the right side."
It was never a perfect extension when Okorafor signed for nearly $30 million over three years. It is now coming back to bite the Steelers, but some of the financial ramifications can be salvaged if he is let go in 2024. Pittsburgh has the option to move Darnell Washington to the offensive line, but also could invest when the NFL Draft comes back around in April.
Steelers Have Rather Easy Decision To Make Regarding Okorafor
Pittsburgh drafted Okorafor in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He hasn't necessarily been a bust, but the Steelers are learning that the grass is always greener. A combination of Moore Jr. and Jones on the ends in 2023 has clearly benefited the offense as a whole. Okorafor will have another opportunity in the NFL, and will likely get paid nicely, but it makes no sense for the Steelers to incur his 2024 cap hit if no one envisions him being the starter going forward.
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