The Steelers continued their inquiries on veteran interior linemen recently by visiting with Stefen Wisniewski, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (on Twitter).
This news comes after Geoff Schwartz visited Pittsburgh on Thursday.
These summits may stem from Maurkice Pouncey‘s availability after the All-Pro center missed all of 2015 with a broken fibula. Pouncey may not participate in Steelers OTAs this year, which would leave Cody Wallace again as the team’s top snapper for the time being.
Although, Schwartz has played guard and tackle in his career, so the Steelers may just be in the market for interior-line assistance. They already re-upped Ramon Foster, however, and have All-Pro guard David DeCastro entrenched opposite him.
Wisniewski has started every game in which he’s played since entering the league in 2011. He opened all 16 Jaguars games as their starting center last season after signing a one-year contract. The former Raiders second-round pick graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19-ranked center in 2015.
Wisniewski visited five teams last spring before eventually signing in Jacksonville, but his search for another employer hasn’t been as widespread this season. The Browns had some interest in the 27-year-old center, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, after Alex Mack departed. But nothing much emerged from it.
Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images
I actually think that Wisniewski would be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh. He would be a durable replacement at center WHEN Pouncey gets hurt again, cause let’s face the facts here…Markice is a stud, he might be the best center in the NFL…WHEN HE IS HEALTHY! The problem is that the guy is made of 25-35% porcelain! LOL! I love the guy, but I don’t think that it is even possible for him to play an entire NFL season without sustaining some type of injury that requires him to miss time. Stefan would provide the Steelers with a proven NFL starter to step right in. And because the Steelers offensive line is quite loaded with talent, he won’t be asked to do too much, which should make him pretty reliable and serviceable. I know that he has also slid over to guard in college and pro games, so he has some versatility too. Would certainly be a smart signing. No offense to Cody Wallace, he did an admirable job last season during a tough situation, but Wisniewski represents a fairly significant upgrade to the depth of that position. Get it done Kevin’
I would like to see the Chargers sign Wisniewsky. If he is the #19 center in the league that is a significant upgrade over what they have now. As a starter the Chargers should be able to pay him more than the Steelers to be a backup.