Film Breakdown: B.J. Finney Offers Seahawks Tremendous Flexibility

After starting 13 games for Pittsburgh over the past four years at center and both guard spots, Finney's arrival in Seattle should give coach Mike Solari a bevy of options figuring out his starting offensive line for 2020.

Entering the offseason, the Seahawks hoped to keep their offensive line intact as much as possible with three former starters set to hit free agency.

Rather than maintain continuity, however, Seattle chose to move on from all three players, allowing George Fant and Germain Ifedi to depart. Guard Mike Iupati remains unsigned, but his chances of returning diminished substantially due to other signings made by the team over the past two weeks.

Most specifically, the Seahawks worked quickly to sign versatile fifth-year lineman B.J. Finney to a two-year, $8 million deal.

While he's not a household name, in four prior seasons with the Steelers, Finney started 13 games at center and both guard spots. Performing admirably when called upon, he gained the respect of teammates, including starting center Maurkice Pouncey.

After Finney replaced him while serving a two-game suspension last season, Pouncey told reporters, “He played outstanding. Honestly, he made a lot of money for himself, to be real with you. He went out there and played very, very well."

Now joining the Seahawks, it remains unclear what the team plans to do with Finney, but his presence gives coach Mike Solari several options as he rebuilds the offensive line for the 2020 season. He could be in the mix to start at left guard and, depending on what happens with starter Justin Britt, may have a shot at playing center as well.

Where does Finney fit into the puzzle joining a new-look Seattle offensive line? And what position would he be best suited to play?

Check out my latest film breakdown as I revisit five of Finney's starts from the past two seasons and evaluate his skill set as a run blocker and pass protector.


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Corbin K. Smith
CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.