Mike McCarthy Isaiahh Loudermilk
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Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers could potentially lose a second defender to the Detroit Lions this offseason.
The Detroit Lions signed former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Chuck Clark this week. Coincidentally, they are also potentially targeting ex-Steelers fifth-round pick Isaiahh Loudermilk.
The Lions hosted the veteran defensive lineman for a free agency visit Tuesday according to the NFL’s official transaction wire.
The 2021 No. 156 overall pick, Loudermilk played in 60 games for the Steelers over the past five seasons. He started two contests before sustaining a high-ankle sprain in Week 2.
The Lions hosted Loudermilk the same day they signed Clark. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Detroit added Clark in free agency.
Lions Host Interior Lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk in NFL Free Agency
Loudermilk only started seven games with the Steelers in five seasons. But his role appeared to be perhaps increasing early last season.
That was at least the case with the team’s first-round pick Derrick Harmon sidelined because of a knee injury in early September.
In Week 1 last season, Loudermilk played 31 defensive snaps along with 11 snaps on special teams.
But he sustained a season-ending injury during Week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks. It might be the last game Loudermilk plays in black and gold.
With the Lions, the veteran defensive lineman could help replace D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez. Reader is still available in NFL free agency, but Lopez signed a 2-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
In 60 games overall, Loudermilk registered 63 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss in Pittsburgh. He also had six pass defenses and one quarterback hit with one sack.
Based on the Pro Football Focus player grades, Loudermilk didn’t play well in his limited sample last season. He performed better in 2023 and 2024, but his grades were still below average.
As a rookie in 2021, Loudermilk posted a career high 23 combined tackles and three pass defenses. The only sack of his career also came during that campaign.
Coming out of college, Loudermilk received praise for his intangibles.
“Overall, Loudermilk doesn’t play with burst or power to be a consistent disruptor, but he is a worker bee who brings energy and toughness,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
How Steelers Replace Loudermilk
Loudermilk has the versatility to play both defensive tackle and defensive end. The Steelers, though, have focused on adding younger talent to the defensive front in recent drafts.
In addition to Harmon, the team selected Yahya Black in the fifth round last year. During 2023, the Steelers grabbed Keeanu Benton in the second round.
This upcoming season, Harmon and Benton should anchor the unit along with the ageless Cameron Heyward. The Steelers also signed Sebastian Joseph-Day in NFL free agency.
Joseph-Day and Black should be the team’s top two reserve defensive linemen. The Steelers also have Esezi Otomewo, Anthony Goodlow, Kyler Baugh, Logan Lee and Jahvaree Ritzie on the roster.
Similar to Loudermilk when he was healthy, Clark was serviceable as a reserve safety for the Steelers. But the Steelers added potential upgrades Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage in NFL free agency.
Those two will pair with DeShon Elliott in the back end of the Pittsburgh secondary. Former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey could also start at safety, but he is expected to move around to a lot of different spots on defense.