The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of young talent on their offensive line; that much is sure. What’s far less certain is where those players will all fit. Having three first-round tackles on the roster, one of whose playing status is still in jeopardy, and another third-round tackle transitioning to guard, leads to some questions. To Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers should keep shuffling the unit as much as possible.
“I think it’s super smart. I don’t think you should just be like, okay, you’re our right tackle, you’re our left tackle, you’re our guard. Move things around. Because you might find, holy cow, I didn’t realize these two guys work so well together,” Roethlisberger said Tuesday on his Footbahlin podcast. “That’s what OTAs are for, that’s what training camp’s for, that’s what minicamp’s for. Start shuffling and moving… You might discover something.”
The Steelers certainly are “shuffling and moving” so far. Right now, they have little other choice. Broderick Jones is back on the field, but he’s not healthy enough to participate in team activities yet. Troy Fautanu will likely be moving to left tackle. Given his two years of experience at that spot in college, it might be the most seamless transition on the unit.
Moving to the other side may be in Dylan Cook’s future as well. Although he impressed on the left side last season, Cook has experience at right tackle from his time in college, enough to call it his natural position. Pittsburgh drafted Max Iheanachor, a right tackle, in the first round. But Cook has already proven he’s game-ready. If Iheanachor isn’t ready to start the year, maybe Cook gets the nod there.
On the interior, two spots feel more secure. Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick, standouts at center and right guard, will each likely keep starting roles. At left guard, the Steelers will have to find their replacement for Isaac Seumalo. This could be Spencer Anderson, who’s done well in limited action. Brock Hoffman, who knows Mike McCarthy well, is another candidate. And Gennings Dunker is the most popular choice, this year’s third-round pick transitioning to the inside.
Roethlisberger thinks overall chemistry is more important than players sticking to their own positions.
“I would say that would be the most important thing, is the chemistry,” Roethlisberger said. “It won’t make ’em the best group until you can get that chemistry, that they all believe in each other.”
A few things are certain about this unit going into 2026. Frazier will likely start at center, and Fautanu at left tackle if Jones isn’t healthy. Mason McCormick could see time at left guard if they want to keep him next to Fautanu. But what may happen at the other guard and right tackle positions is unknown. Roethlisberger thinks the Steelers shouldn’t be afraid to keep shuffling the offensive line until they find a combination that works.