The Steelers didn’t make significant personnel changes to the most unstable part of their team the last few years.
But they still think the one tweak they made can make a big difference.
With Hall of Famer Mike Munchak joining as offensive line coach, the hope is that he can mold the Steelers’ existing linemen into something they’ve not been in the past.
“I think we can have a special group here,” Munchak said, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The biggest hurdle will be getting Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey well again, after last year’s torn ACL which triggered a revolving door in the middle of an otherwise healthy line.
The right side of guard David DeCastro and tackle Marcus Gilbert started every game, and left guard Ramon Foster missed just one. They shuffled left tackles during the season, but settled on former seventh-rounder Kelvin Beachum over second-rounder Mike Adams.
Munchak thinks that stability will pay off.
“People don’t know how hard it is to just get plugged in and how much that affects the chemistry of the offensive line,” Munchak said. “I’ve followed them through college and know what type of players they are. I’m excited to work with them.”
If he can turn what has been a hodge-podge into a quality line, they’ll be excited to work for Munchak, as well. And he’ll deserve a raise.