Another Bronco is on his way out of Denver as offensive tackle Ryan Harris agreed to a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Among others, Harris now joins Malik Jackson, Brock Osweiler and Danny Threvathan as players to leave Denver after the team won the Super Bowl.
The Broncos brought in Mark Sanchez to compete for the starting quarterback job left vacant by Peyton Manning and Donald Stephenson to bolster their offensive line. They are still negotiating a pay cut for offensive tackle Ryan Clady, but it appears as though the Broncos' approach has been to stage a quasi-rebuild.
The Steelers signed Harris, 31, to a two-year contract worth $3.9 million to compete for playing time on the team's offensive line. Harris played right tackle early in the season for the Broncos, but moved to left tackle when players like Clady and Ty Sambrailo were injured.
"While I turn the page in my career, I am grateful to always be a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos," Harris said.
The Steelers are also pursuing left tackle Russell Okung, who visited Pittsburgh recently and, though he had yet to sign a contract, the Steelers' trophy room apparently impressed him.
No decisions yet but this is beautiful. pic.twitter.com/cP1b82aK8L
— Russell Okung (@RussellOkung) March 13, 2016
Harris' signing appears to end Kelvin Beachum's tenure in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old offensive tackle is recovering from an ACL tear that caused him to miss 12 games last season and the Steelers appear to have little interest in retaining him. Beachum visited Jacksonville, but left without signing a contract with the Jaguars.
Rapid Update: Text from OT Kelvin Beachum: “Headed (home) to Pittsburgh” (to evaluate next step). — Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 15, 2016
Rapid update: OT Kelvin Beachum just told me he's at the airport but the #Jaguars are trying to convince him not to leave just yet. #FA
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 14, 2016
Beachum told me he was literally on the plane just now when the #Jags asked if he could get off. But, door is now closed. Talks continue. — Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 15, 2016
Though he may continue to negotiate with the Jaguars, he may not fit on the roster if he is fixated on playing left tackle. The Jaguars selected Luke Joeckel second overall in the 2013 NFL Draft and he started at right tackle at first before transitioning to left tackle. The Jaguars appear willing to stick with Joeckel at left tackle heading into next season.
Beachum could theoretically still sign with the Steelers, but a number of other teams with openings on their offensive lines, such as the Jets, will likely be interested in him.
