New Steelers Offensive Lineman Ready to Make an Impact
The Steelers signed offensive lineman Andrus Peat to a one-year deal on Thursday. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke about Peat’s playing abilities. He said, “He’s a versatile veteran, has played both guard and tackle, we’ve absorbed some attrition in those spaces, so a grizzly veteran with multi-positional experiences is an asset.” When asked how long it took for him to join the Steelers, Peat answered, “Maybe like 36 hours. It was kinda quick, quick process.” Peat practiced with the rest of the Steelers Thursday at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Peat believes that he has plenty of good football left in him. He’s ready to play. Peat remarked, “I feel like I have a lot left. I feel great, feel healthy, so I’m ready to go.” Peat may get to play in the Steelers' preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Saturday.
Whether Peat will play tackle or guard is currently undetermined. He practiced left tackle reps on Thursday. Recent injuries led the Steelers to sign Peat. Backup offensive tackle Calvin Anderson hasn’t practiced in several days. Anderson is out with a lower-body soft tissue injury. Starting left tackle Broderick Jones missed some training camp earlier this year after suffering a groin injury. Jones has only recently returned to practice. Rookie Gareth Warren has an unspecified leg injury.
Peat is six-foot-seven. He weighs 313 pounds. He played collegiate football for Stanford. He won the Morris Trophy and was named an All-American in 2014. The New Orleans Saints chose Peat in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played for the Saints for nine years. He played 715 snaps as left tackle in 2023. Peat signed with the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of last season. Peat played in 15 games for the Raiders. Throughout his NFL career, he’s played in 126 games, starting in 103 of them. Peat was selected for the Pro Bowl three times—in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Peat hopes to play for the Steelers until he retires. He said, “It’s a part of football, especially going to a new organization. I don’t take this opportunity for granted, so I’m gonna work my way up and keep working.”
