The Pittsburgh Steelers will square off against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in the Wild Card Round on Saturday. Pittsburgh finished the regular season with a 10-7 record but is on a four-game losing streak and would’ve won the AFC North if they didn’t implode at the end of the season.
The Steelers’ offense has been abysmal over the last few games, especially the offensive line. The unit had a fantastic start to the year but has struggled during this losing streak. The group has also had some injuries, with one of the most significant losses being starting guard James Daniels.
Daniels tore his Achilles during the first half of the Steelers Week 4 contest versus the Indianapolis Colts and will not play again until next season. The veteran’s devastating injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Daniels will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and was off to a fantastic start to the season.
The former Iowa Hawkeye allowed just one sack and five quarterback pressures during Pittsburgh’s first three games and also posted a 92.9 run-blocking grade. He played just six snaps in Week 4 before tearing his Achilles.
Daniels should still have a competitive market in free agency this offseason, and Last Word on Sports’ Isaac Zuniga believes the Chicago Bears should sign the experienced guard to a three-year, $42 million deal.
“Another reunion in Chicago perhaps? Ryan Poles should realize he made a mistake letting James Daniels leave, and bring him back to help shore up the offensive line,” Zuniga wrote.
Daniels was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and started 48 games for Chicago during his four-year tenure with the team. Daniels signed a three-year deal with the Steelers in 2022.
Though the 27-year-old is coming off a significant injury, Daniels has been a solid starter for most of his career and is one of the most underrated offensive linemen in football. The former second-round pick has never allowed more than three sacks in a single season in his career and has the versatility to play both guard positions.
The Steelers likely won’t re-sign Daniels, as rookie Mason McCormick has done an adequate job replacing the veteran in 2024. But the Bears must prioritize protecting quarterback Caleb Williams this offseason, so a reunion with James Daniels to serve as the starter at left or right guard would be a savvy move from Chicago.
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