First Call: Reaction from Philadelphia To Steelers Signing Isaac Seumalo; Seahawks’ Signing Of Devin Bush Praised
Monday’s “First Call” takes a deep look at the Steelers’ signing of offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo. We also find a surprisingly optimistic view of an ex-Steeler going to a new team.
The struggling Penguins welcome an opponent from Canada with plenty of problems of its own. Another chapter of history is written between Alex Ovechkin and Marc-Andre Fleury.
And we check in on the lone team remaining from the ACC in this year’s NCAA tournament.
‘Don’t sleep’ on Devin
Most of Pittsburgh seemed to have a dismissive attitude towards Devin Bush’s free agent departure last week. Given the lack of production from the former first-round pick, that’s no surprise.
But what Steelers fans may find surprising is the view of NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks. He called Seattle’s signing of Bush one of the “10 free-agent signings that you should not overlook” during a post he authored Friday.
“Pete Carroll loves a reclamation project, as evidenced by his work with Geno Smith, among many others, during his tenure with the Seahawks,” Brooks wrote. “Bush is next on the list as a former top-10 pick who struggled with injuries and inconsistency in Pittsburgh.
Despite failing to live up to expectations as a Steeler, the ultra-competitive defender still has the dog in him that made the Michigan product a ballyhooed prospect in the Class of 2019.
If Carroll can crack the code and unlock the feisty defender who delivered a number of splash plays as a rookie, the Seahawks’ defense could rejoin the ranks of the elite with Bush and a group of junkyard dogs leading the way.”
Based on his performance, and his often nonplussed attitude about it, I’d debate Brooks’ assessment of Bush as an “ultra-competitive defender” that “still has the dog in him.”
In fact, I’d ask Brooks when he has seen that “dog” at all over the last two years. Simply being a guy who doesn’t like cats, doesn’t make Devin a “dog.”
If the greater point is just hoping that the Seahawks can find something in Bush’s L level.
Gone from Team Green
While the Steelers eventually won the bidding for free agent guard Isaac Seumalo, apparently his previous team was never in the running to retain him.
Via NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank, “The Eagles were never involved in talks with Seumalo, who started 60 games for the Eagles and is one of only seven players to play in both the 2017 and 2022 Super Bowls.”
But based on how Frank frames it, that’s not because of Seumalo’s play.
“When healthy, Seumalo is a very good player, but injuries derailed his 2020 and 2021 seasons, when he was limited to a total of just 12 games. He bounced back to start all 20 games this year and played at a very high level,” Frank said on Sunday. “Pro Football Focus ranked him 10th of 79 guards who played at least 300 snaps this past year with a 72.7 grade.”
Frank added that the emergence of young guard Landon Dickerson and 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgen’s presence made Seumalo’s roster spot expendable — especially with Philadelphia’s cap issues and free agency questions looming.
Seumalo’s contract is a reported $24 million over three years, according to the NFL Network. That may seem hefty, but it’s not according to some comps.
Baltimore’s Ben Powers got $12.875 million per year over four years from the Denver Broncos and Nate Davis of the Tennessee Titans got $10 million per year over three years to join the Chicago Bears, so Seumalo’s deal is third-highest among guards so far in free agency. Also, Spotrac.com projected $12 million annually for Seumalo making him the 19th-highest-paid guard in the NFL as of now.
Tim Benz:
Follow
