The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2024.

Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do the same here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.

Next up are offensive linemen Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig

Isaac Seumalo

Position: Guard
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 8
Contract Status: Signed through 2025
Contract Details: $10,191,666 salary cap hit for 2024. Would cost the Steelers $4,633,334 in dead money if released and save $5,558,332.
Games played in 2023: 17 regular season
Games started in 2023: 17 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 1,040 (offense), 39 (special teams)
PFF score: 73.9 (12th of 79)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Seumalo had 2 penalties, one was a false start and the other was the (highly questionable) offsides on a field goal attempt.

Notes: A surprise free-agent signing last offseason, Seumalo instantly upgraded the Steelers offensive line as he was likely the best player the Steelers had upfront. With all the other questions going on about contracts and player’s futures withe the team, Seumalo is still signed with the Steelers for two more seasons it is one of the least concerns going into 2024. Despite missing a lot of practice time, Seumalo only missed snaps in one game against the Arizona Cardinals. As long as health isn’t an issue, Seumalo should continue to hold down the left guard position.

Nate Herbig

Position: Guard
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 5
Contract Status: Signed through 2024
Contract Details: $5,460,000 salary cap hit for 2024. Would cost the Steelers $1,460,000 in dead money if released and save $4,000,000.
Games played in 2023: 17 regular season
Games started in 2023: 2 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 156 (offense), 60 (special teams)
PFF score: 67.6 (DNQ for ranking)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Herbig had no penalties assessed to him.

Notes: When Nate Herbig signed last offseason, it was believed he would push Kevin Dotson for a starting position at guard. But when the Steelers signed Isaac Seumalo, Herbig became the main reserve across the interior of the offensive line and Dotson became expendable. Starting two games for an injured James Daniels, Herbig saw snaps on special teams in every game this season. With only one year left on his contract, the Steelers could go with a number of options when it came to Herbig‘s deal or could simply play it out for one more season as he continues to provide quality depth.

Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:

Broderick Jones & Chuks Okorafor
Joey Porter Jr. & Levi Wallace
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Rodney Williams
Nick Herbig & Markus Golden
Cory Trice Jr. & James Pierre
Spencer Anderson & Dylan Cook
Kenny Pickett & Mason Rudolph
George Pickens & Miles Boykin
DeMarvin Leal & Armon Watts
Calvin Austin III & Allen Robinson
Connor Heyward & Godwin Igwebuike
Mark Robinson & Blake Martinez
Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
Pat Freiermuth & Diontae Johnson
Dan Moore Jr. & Mason Cole
Isaiahh Loudermilk & Larry Ogunjobi
Pressley Harvin & Christian Kuntz
Kwon Alexander & Mykal Walker
Miles Killebrew & Elijah Riley
Chandon Sullivan & Darius Rush
Cam Heyward & Patrick Peterson