The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a game week with the Atlanta Falcons heading to Acrisure Stadium for Week 1 next Sunday. While the Falcons haven’t named a starting quarterback yet, the Steelers also have some uncertainty on offense with Dylan Cook and rookie Max Iheanachor battling for the starting right tackle job.
Appearing on The PM Team on 93.7 The Fan earlier this week, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said he believes communication could be the deciding factor in who winds up starting at right tackle next week.
“I think it would be the communication with your other offensive linemen and specifically Spencer Anderson. How do you work with him? How does Dylan Cook work with him? How is the chemistry there? That’s very important,” Fittipaldo said.
Offensive line chemistry is an underrated component of building a strong line. It’s a big reason why the Steelers moved Mason McCormick to left guard with their decision to move Troy Fautanu to left tackle. The two worked well together last season and are comfortable next to each other. Finding someone who can be comfortable working next to Anderson will be key in determining who wins the right tackle job.
Anderson is also a first-time starter at right guard, but he’s worked next to a lot of different tackles during training camp, something Fittipaldo noted. That’s a good thing, as it gives him exposure to different tackles. But finding the one who he can develop the best chemistry with is going to be key.
The natural answer would be Cook given the two have both been with the Steelers for multiple seasons, but they haven’t played next to each other much before this season. Iheanachor is also supposed to be the long-term solution at right tackle, and it would be a nice development for the Steelers if Anderson shows enough to potentially be a long-term solution at right guard.
Putting those two next to each other to build chemistry now might be the best decision for the Steelers’ future. Though if the chemistry isn’t where it needs to be right now, the right side of the line could be a weakness early in the season.
There’s plenty to consider for Mike McCarthy, James Campen and company when it comes to figuring out the right tackle situation, but chemistry just might be the biggest factor when the Steelers decide who to roll out next Sunday.