Door now closed on Max Starks returning?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran free agent offensive tackle Guy Whimper, the team announced today.

Whimper was originally drafted in the fourth round (129th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of East Carolina. He played for the Giants from 2006-09 and was a member of their Super Bowl XLII Championship team. From 2010-12, Whimper played for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Whimper has played in 67 career games with 22 starts in the regular season and has seen action in four career postseason contests.

The Steelers have been in the market for a No. 3/No. 4 tackle on the depth chart and Whimper fits that particular need. Pittsburgh plans to open the season with Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams as their starting left and right tackles. Kelvin Beachum is the primary backup at right tackle and the Steelers coaches are intrigued about Beachum at the left guard position where they feel he can push Ramon Foster for playing time.

Early indications are that the Whimper signing likely closes the door on Max Starks returning. Starks remains unemployed and only had interest in returning as a starter.