Pittsburgh Steelers add guard James Daniels to O-line with three-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a three-year, $26.5 million contract with Chicago Bears guard James Daniels, a supply advised ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Apart from reaching a take care of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the Steelers have targeted on the offensive line in the course of the free-agent negotiating interval, additionally agreeing to re-sign proper deal with Chukwuma Okorafor and including middle Mason Cole, additionally on three-year contracts.

Daniels, who turns 25 in September, was drafted 39th total by Chicago in 2018 and has began 48 video games. He started his NFL profession predominantly taking part in left guard earlier than turning into the Bears’ beginning proper guard in 2021. He additionally has expertise at middle, the place he frolicked in the course of the 2019 season and performed throughout his closing two years at Iowa.

Daniels’ place flexibility on the inside helped him develop right into a productive participant for Chicago. After a pectoral damage restricted Daniels to 5 video games in 2020, he got here again wholesome in 2021, taking part in all 17 video games at proper guard and posting the most effective go blocking and run blocking grades of his profession, in response to Professional Soccer Focus.

Nonetheless, the offensive line was an issue spot for Chicago in 2021. In response to PFF, the Bears ranked 25th in group pass-blocking grade whereas then-rookie quarterback Justin Fields had the second-highest fee of pressured dropbacks within the NFL at 42.8%.

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.