If anything, the Steelers pride themselves on continuity.
But when they line up for OTAs this week, they’ll put a different look on the field on both sides of the ball.
As noted by Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, they’ll have at least three new starters on defense, a significant shift away from some experienced players.
Jason Worilds is expected to replace James Harrison at outside linebacker, Steve McLendon goes in for Casey Hampton at nose tackle and Cortez Allen will replace Keenan Lewis at cornerback.
All three of the new starters fit the Steelers mold of promote from within, having been stashed in reserve in recent years — Worilds and Allen were drafted, McLendon was an undrafted rookie signing who has developed during stints on the practice squad.
But the out-with-the-old isn’t just limited to defense.
The elder backup quarterbacks Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich are gone, replaced by Bruce Gradkowski and Landry Jones. It’s a subtle switch, but that’s 22 years of experience out the door.
And with two new offensive coaches and a special teams coach to integrate, the Steelers need all the getting-to-know-you time they can get this offseason.
