New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf said on Thursday that if the 2024 season started today, offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor would be the team's starting left tackle. The Patriots signed Okorafor on March 7 to give the club some extra offensive-line depth entering next season. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2018 to 2023, starting 59 of the 77 games that he appeared in. The 26-year-old was drafted in the third round (92nd overall) by the Steelers in 2018 out of Western Michigan. The Patriots could still add more offensive linemen in the upcoming NFL draft, but as of right now, it's looking Okorafor could be the favorite to win the left-tackle job this summer in training camp and the preseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are giving right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor a three-year, $29.25 million deal, which includes $20.5 million in the first two years, according to a source. Former Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings center Mason Cole intends to sign a three-year deal to join the Steelers as well. In defensive news, the Steelers placed a tender on restricted free-agent defensive back Marcus Allen. Okorafor has served as the team's starting right tackle for each of the last two seasons, and he will continue to be a big part of their offense moving forward. Cole, 25, will replace Kendrick Green, who was one of the worst centers in football last year. Both Okorafor and Cole will hopefully help the Steelers become more efficient running the football.
