PITTSBURGH — With Broderick Jones out for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the team is making a surprising move at left tackle. Instead of swing tackle Calvin Anderson starting, the Steelers will go to Andrus Peat, the veteran backup. Peat started 12 games at left tackle in 2023 for the New Orleans Saints.
They let him walk, and the Steelers brought in Peat to be the do-it-all backup that can play both left guard and tackle and has started all over the offensive line in his career. It was a move to strengthen the depth they have.
“Definitely appreciate it,” Peat said on the opportunity to start Sunday. “It’s a chance to start and go out there and play for the Steelers, so it’s a great opportunity. I’m excited for it. I’m always ready to play or start. I’ve been a starter most of my career, so I always try to prepare like that. And keep myself in that mindset.”
This will be Peat’s first start of the season, and he admits that he has to get up to a certain level of conditioning that only in-game reps can simulate. However, he feels like he is already there and can give the Steelers plenty of solid play.
“It’s tough to replicate that (game conditioning),” Peat said. “But you just go and don’t think about it and just do the extra stuff you can in practice and in your workouts and stuff to prepare.”
Peat has played both left guard and left tackle throughout his career. He did not play much for the Las Vegas Raiders last year, but played 715 snaps at left tackle for the New Orleans Saints in 2023.
Over his career, Peat has played mostly left guard, but has over 1500 snaps at left tackle, too. That gives the Steelers versatility to use him as they see fit.