1 Position With ‘No Starters’ at Russell Wilson’s Steelers Revealed as Mike Tomlin Told to Find a ‘Mike Webster for 10 Years’ in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t have a complete roster. Despite making a lot of changes to the QB position and hiring Russell Wilson for cheap, the Steel City team is still devoid of a center. As the draft day approaches, the pressure to fill that position might get to Mike Tomlin and the GM, Omar Khan. Surprisingly, Khan still thinks that this matter can be solved internally, relying on the team’s flexibility.

Gerry Dulac, a Steelers insider went to Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show and discussed the Pittsburgh position. He also pointed out a few things that the team needs to consider going forward. The host of the show pointed out that when Omar Khan was asked about the Center situation, the GM mentioned that he’d move some parts internally if needed.

The common consensus earlier was that either Mason Cole (now released) or Nate Herbig would take that position if the Steelers can’t find someone to fit the spot. It’s also noteworthy that for Khan, the Center is an “important position.” The host of the show dubbed Khan’s move as “subterfuge,” questioning his decisions. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s correspondent affirmed some of the statements, however with a hint of caution toward Tomlin and Co.

“The one position on the team where there is no starter is center, and they need a center. And not just any center, they want to get a top-flight center. They want to get a Maurkice Pouncey. I’m not sitting here saying they are going to get a Maurkice Pouncey,” said Dulac.

“But they want to get a guy who is going to anchor that line for 10 years and you’re not going to find him in the third round and keep your fingers crossed that you’re going to get a Mike Webster who was a fifth-round pick.” added Dulac. This was Dulac’s way of reiterating the importance of the position and how not filling it in initial stage might stir problems for the team.

And if the Steelers are hoping to pull a fifth-round Mike Webster card, that might be a difficult scenario given possibilities like those are like finding a needle in the haystack. The impact had on the team was undeniably unmatched but if Steelers are expecting to have a similar storyline, that might turn to be a stretch because what Webster attained in his tenure is a feat only few can achieve.

He joined the NFL back in 1974 and got 4 Super Bowls for the Steelers. “Mike gives us versatility,” said Dan Radakovich, the line coach before 1977 season and added, “He’s got the quickness, strength and intelligence to play center, guard or tackle. Mike was the best center in the league last year. He’s the best because he has great self motivation.” Chuck Noll, the Steelers Coach decades ago said, “He [Webster} was the best center in the history of the game.”

Now, while Dulac believes that Steelers will be hoping to snatch a player of Webster’s quality at the upcoming draft, Mike Tomlin has reflected on how they’ve done all the heavy lifting in the trading season and are not going “thirsty” into the draft. He even shed the light regarding the same to the media. And if his plans, as hinted by Dulac, include finding Iron Mike, the task is quite challenging.

Mike Tomlin and his unorthodox approach to the 2024 NFL Draft

In the Steelers pre-draft conference, Tomlin mentioned that he talks to people he’s not interested in because “everyone’s watching” him. A video from the presser made it to X and it has left the media confused.

“Sometimes at Pro Days, I’m looking at people that I’m not interested in, because I know everyone’s watching. And, so, to be bluntly honest, there’s not a lot of my peers that work on the Pro Day circuit the way that I work. And, so, I understand my movement, what I pay attention to, who I conversate with, all becomes media fodder, and so sometimes I have fun with you guys,” said Tomlin in the presser.

While this approach of Tomlin in recruiting new guys for the Steelers may sound unorthodox, it may provide them with an opportunity to find next Webster. However, looking at the Tomlin’s comments which are wrapped in mystery, he might have already found his Webster-alike center. Only time will tell, who and how will one take the “important” position in the Steelers’ clan.