When Max Starks became a free agent in March and the Steelers’ didn’t re-sign him, he didn’t think he’d be back as their starting left tackle. And when the Steelers drafted Mike Adams in April and declared Adams their starting left tackle of the future, Starks really didn’t think he’d be back as Pittsburgh’s starting left tackle.
But Starks re-signed with the Steelers in July, got back to work quickly after opening training camp on the physically unable to perform list, played well in the preseason, and is now back atop the depth chart at the most important position on the offensive line again. Starks is pleased about that.
“There was no way I was thinking when I get healthy they’ll re-sign me,” Starks told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I wanted to get healthy and figured teams will be out there, and, if I have to wait through training camp and into the season like last year, I’ll do that, prepare for that. It just so happens, there was an opportunity to come back. It was a blessing.”
Starks is heading into his ninth season in the NFL, all with the Steelers, and although he’s been much maligned and seemed to be on the verge of losing his job on multiple occasions, the Steelers have continued to decide that Starks is their best option at left tackle.
We’ll see soon whether that turns out to be a blessing or a curse for Ben Roethlisberger.