One of the best remaining offensive linemen in this year’s free agent class is moving in-state. Isaac Seumalo has agreed to a three-year deal with the Steelers, according to The Score’s Jordan Schultz ( Twitter ). link).
The 28-year-old had spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Eagles, seeing 60 starts among 80 games played. Seumalo, who has started full-time since the 2019 campaign, had primarily seen left guard before last season. In 2022, he played right wing for the first time in four years and made more than 1,100 snaps as the Eagles’ right guard.
The former third-round pick earned himself another three-year, $15.92 million contract with Philadelphia thanks to his consistency. Seumalo’s strong play has been reflected in positive annual PFF ratings, which ranked him among the league’s best inside tackles. In 2022, his overall grade of 72.7 ranked him in the top 10 of all qualifying guards.
While that makes his departure significant for the NFC champions, it’s not unexpected. The Eagles were thought to be facing several losses in free agency, and have seen several of this year’s Super Bowl contributors leave. Seumalo will be the latest, though Philadelphia has done so Cam Jurgens place as a successor candidate. The 2022 second-rounder was selected as a one-day replacement Jason Kelce at center, but the latter’s decision to continue playing for at least one more year will allow Jurgens to get playing time at right guard.
Seumalo has an injury history, including missing 14 games in 2021 and seven in 2020. However, his addition is a significant addition to a Steelers team that has made several moves in recent years. Improving the interior will give Pittsburgh’s o-line a big boost and likely pave the way for a bounce-back season on the field after they finished atop the midseason in 2022.
Seumalo’s addition comes shortly after Pittsburgh signed another former Eagles lineman Nate Herbig. The latter signed a modest two-year contract, but a starting role was not considered out of the question. Regardless of what happens to him, an upgrade at one guard position is now assured with Seumalo looking to repeat his individual and team success during his season with the Eagles in his new NFL home.