Longtime Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson was always a thorn in the side of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But, on Tuesday night ahead of Ohio State’s Pro Day, he lent a helping hand to the organization and head coach Mike Tomlin.
According to an Instagram post from Anderson, he was in attendance Tuesday night at dinner ahead of the Ohio State Pro Day with Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and Vice President of Player Personnel Dan Rooney Jr. and a handful of Ohio State prospects. They included offensive tackles Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones and interior offensive lineman Luke Wypler.
“Swipe left. Not gonna lie it felt weird getting a call from @steelers to come to dinner to discuss our guys the night before @ohiostatefb ‘s pro day. Although I’ve had so many battles against these guys over the years playing for @bengals When we didn’t like each . They were all class. Met head coach Mike Tomlin at the Sr Bowl he’s cool as advertised,” Anderson wrote in his Instagram caption detailing the Pro Day dinner with the Steelers. “He and talked about the wars we had in the AFC north playing bengals vs Steelers to the guys . I told em my @bengals fans hate y’all the most and will probably look at me side eye for this picture! 😂 just business guys! 🤷🏿♂️. I said but playing for The @ravens back in 2008 I’ve never as much hate 1 organization had for another! 😂 AFC north was and still is black and blue division. You bring 2 chinstraps and an extra helmet . Mike knows and said it “ you build your team in this division thru big tough ass guys who protect your own Qb and kill the other team’s Qb. We had some great stories. The players were attentive and asking questions. All 3 great leaders. . Tomlin said in this picture “ We’ve broke bread with a lot of people never a Bengal!” 😂 Still #WHODey #Steelers #MikeTomlim#NfL #photooftheday”
Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline also noted DE Zach Harrison attended the dinner.
It’s no surprise that the Steelers continue to look at big-name offensive linemen ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, especially a guy like Jones. The Steelers were able to see him up close and in person at the Senior Bowl, met with him at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, and have a pre-draft top 30 visit scheduled with the hulking right tackle.
As for Johnson Jr. and Wypler, there is certainly interest there, though Johnson Jr. is expected to come off the board before the Steelers pick at No. 17 overall. Wypler could be a sound draft-and-develop option at center behind Mason Cole for the 2023 season.
Seeing Anderson, who played 195 games in the NFL with 184 starts between 14 seasons in Cincinnati and one season in Baltimore, helping the Steelers out though is a something to behold. He was a dominant player in his own right and knows a thing or two about offensive line play.
In fact, he’s trained Johnson Jr. since the Ohio State star was in middle school, helping him develop into one of the top-flight recruits in the country before heading to Columbus.
We’ll see if the Steelers land one of the Ohio State products in April’s draft. and it’s quite telling that the Pro Day dinner featured three offensive linemen.
UPDATE (12:58 PM): Steelers’ offensive line coach Pat Meyer is also at today’s Pro Day.
UPDATE (1:24 PM): Tomlin watching DBs go through their workouts.
