The Steelers made a low-key signing in DL Sebastian Joseph-Day that we could be talking about more later this season. A veteran player, he brings depth, versatility, and leadership to a rebuilding position group. While not in the Steelers’ locker room anymore, he could have a fan in James Harrison
Commenting on Joseph-Day on his Deebo & Joe podcast, Harrison describes him as “Real stout in the running game. Man eats up blocks. Holds his ground. Clogs up the running lanes, okay. High-motor dude, he likes doing the dirty work”.
A sixth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Sebastian Joseph-Day has been around the block. He has played with the likes of Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh, Jeffrey Simmons and Javon Hargrave. With stops around the NFL, the Steelers are his fifth team, and quite possibly his last.
Could Joseph-Day see a late-career renaissance the way Tyson Alualu did some years ago with the Steelers? Joseph-Day is a little later in his career, but not so far that the comparison is unfair. Like Alualu, he is position-flexible, which will be to his and the Steelers’ benefit. He has Cam Heyward excited, at least, to not be the only old guy in the room.
Over the past three drafts, the Steelers have brought in Keeanu Benton, Logan Lee, Derrick Harmon, and Yahya Black. Benton and Harmon are starters, while Black will be a backup this year. Lee is likely fighting for the final defensive line roster spot, with Heyward and Sebastian Joseph-Day taking up two more.
The Steelers also anticipate Joseph-Day taking up more than just a roster spot. They see him as a stout run defender able to take on blocks, which has James Harrison’s attention. In fact, it addresses a key area of concern for the defense to have such a lineman.
“That allows you inside linebackers to run, to be free. Because a 3-4 defense is made for your linebackers to run, make the plays”, Harrison said. “And on top of that, he done won a ‘ship. He won a [championship] over there with the Rams. So he knows what it takes. He knows, they see”.
Joseph-Day is one of the most prominent free agents the Steelers have signed this offseason. He is not receiving the most attention, however, overshadowed by Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker, and Rico Dowdle. They also traded for Michael Pittman Jr., who if signed as a free agent would have the largest relevant contract.
Throughout his career, Sebastian Joseph-Day has consistently been around a 500-snap player. Some years he has played a little more, some a little less. But the Steelers wouldn’t have signed him to the contract that they did if they didn’t see him as a significant piece. He’s not generating much enthusiasm now, but if he helps improve the run defense, you bet he’ll find his fans.
Recommended for you