The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding some depth - and versatility - to their offensive line heading into the offseason. On Monday, the team announced the signing of offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea to a reserve/future contract for the 2026 season.
Laumea, 25, comes with some NFL experience under his belt and a college résumé that caught the Steelers’ eye even before he entered the league. In fact, Pittsburgh held a pre-draft Zoom interview with him back in 2024, a sign that he’s been on their radar for a while.
Originally a sixth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2024 NFL Draft, Laumea played his college ball at Utah, where he showcased his ability to handle multiple positions along the line. He started his collegiate career at right guard in 2020 and 2021 before shifting to right tackle for his final two seasons. That kind of positional flexibility is something NFL teams covet - especially when it’s paired with strong fundamentals in the run game and pass protection.
And Laumea brings both. He’s known for his power as a run blocker, but what really jumps off the page is what he did in pass protection during his final year at Utah.
According to Pro Football Focus, Laumea didn’t allow a single sack in 388 pass-blocking snaps in 2023. That’s the kind of reliability that makes coaches take notice, especially when you’re trying to build depth on the offensive line.
At 6-foot-4 and 319 pounds, Laumea has the size to play inside, and that’s where he’s seen most of his NFL action so far. All 355 of his regular-season snaps have come at right guard, though he’s also logged some preseason work at left guard. Despite that, the Steelers announced the signing with him listed as a tackle - which could suggest they’re still evaluating where he best fits in their system.
One thing working against him at tackle, at least from a measurables standpoint, is his arm length. He measured in with 32 7/8-inch arms at the NFL Combine - a bit shorter than what’s typically preferred for offensive tackles at the pro level. That’s likely one of the reasons he’s projected more as an interior lineman, though his college tape shows he can hold his own on the edge if needed.
Laumea didn’t run the 40-yard dash or participate in agility drills during the pre-draft process, so he didn’t receive a Relative Athletic Score (RAS), a metric used to gauge athleticism. However, he did show off some raw strength, putting up 26 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Since entering the league, Laumea’s journey has been the kind of winding road many late-round picks face. After starting six games as a rookie with Seattle in 2024, he was waived following training camp in 2025. He briefly landed on the Seahawks' practice squad before being released, then spent a month with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad before being cut in mid-October.
Now, he gets a fresh opportunity in Pittsburgh - a team that has long prided itself on developing offensive linemen and finding value in under-the-radar signings. With 83 of their 90 offseason roster spots now filled, the Steelers are clearly looking to shore up competition and depth in the trenches before OTAs and training camp roll around.
Laumea also brings with him a strong football background and cultural pride. A Compton, California native with Samoan heritage, he was a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award in 2022 - an honor that recognizes outstanding play and cultural impact among players of Polynesian descent.
For now, Laumea enters the Steelers’ offseason program with a shot to earn a roster spot and prove he belongs. Whether he sticks at guard, gets reps at tackle, or carves out a swing role, his journey is far from over - and Pittsburgh might just be the right place for the next chapter.