Steelers Will Not Tender RFA Darnel Stapleton

Adam Caplan is reporting via Twitter that the Steelers will not tender restricted free agent Darnel Stapleton.

This could be a very important development for the Chiefs. Stapleton was an undrafted free agent and was signed by the Steelers prior to the 2007 season. He played college ball at Hudson Valley Community College for two seasons before becoming the starting center at Rutgers in 2005.

Stapleton served as the Steelers backup center in 2008 before G Kendall Simmons went to IR. Stapleton was then moved into the starting G position where he started the team’s final 12 regular season games. As you know, that Steelers team went on to defeat Todd Haley and the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl.

Stapleton missed all of last season with nagging knee injuries and it appears as though the Steelers have given up on him.

Stapleton is only 24 years old and if the Chiefs can get a good price for them I think they have to take a look. We know the Chiefs need a center and a guard and Stapleton can play both positions. His injury problems are a concern but for a team like the Chiefs to get better fast they will have to take some chances and find some diamonds in the rough. We know the Chiefs coaches value versatile players so even if Stapleton can’t start, he could be a valuable backup.

Stapleton is listed at 6-3, 305 pounds on NFL.com