The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost a tremendous amount of experience over the course of the past three offseasons, and especially this year alone. Marcus Gilbert, who recently retired, was traded away in 2019 after being drafted in 2011. Ramon Foster retired last year after an 11-year career. Now, Maurkice Pouncey, Alejandro Villanueva, and Matt Feiler are all gone.
The loss of Pouncey hurts in particular in terms of leadership. The longest-tenured Steeler other than Bene Roethlisberger, he was co-captain of the offense and had long been one of the team’s ‘energy-bringers’ and motivational touchpoints. The only established veteran remaining is David DeCastro at right guard, who is not the most outwardly vocal leader.