Steelers Retain Two O-Linemen

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to keep two of their offensive linemen as on Tuesday, offensive linemen Chris Kemoeatu and Trai Essex accepted their one-year tender offers from the team; both players were eligible to weigh offers from other teams until mid-April, with the Steelers owning the right to match their offers.  Kemoeatu will earn $1,417,000 this season, while Essex will make $927,000.

Kemoeatu has played in 18 career games at guard and special teams and made 2 starts at right guard in 2006, while Essex has played in 24 career games at tackle and guard; he started at left tackle for the injured Marvel Smith during the Steelers’ wild-card playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in January.