Pittsburgh For several Pittsburgh Steelers players, whose futures with the organisation are in doubt heading into the offseason, there are waves of anxiety following their season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills on the day after.
Chuks Okorafor, an offensive lineman for the Steelers, signed a new three-year contract with the team prior to the 2022 season, making him the eighth-biggest cap hit on the 2023 roster. However, Okorafor was certain of one thing: he wouldn’t have returned to Pittsburgh if he had known rookie Broderick Jones would unseat him as a starting tackle.
“If I had known that was going to be the case, I probably wouldn’t have chosen to come back here,” said Okorafor. However, there’s not much I can do about it right now. I’m not sure what to say about it; it’s kind of…
Jones replaced Okorafor, who had started the first seven games of the regular season, on the bench during a Week 9 matchup with the Tennessee Titans. Later on, Okorafor gave an explanation for his demotion, citing an on-field incident that occurred at the conclusion of the team’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars the week before.
The 2023 first-round selection of the Steelers from Georgia, Jones, performed admirably and managed to maintain his starting position at right tackle until the end of the campaign.
When asked if he would be open to playing for Pittsburgh again the following season, Okorafor remained silent.
“I don’t know what will happen in the upcoming year,” Okorafor remarked. “I wish I could tell you now it’s up to me, my agent and the [front office].”
Nevertheless, Okorafor wants to find a position where he can do that, whether it be with the Steelers or somewhere else. He feels he is still good enough to be a starter in this league.
“That’s the game plan,” he declared. “I feel like I’m young, I have a lot of ball left in me but I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film analysis and so much more!
