Steelers' Tackle Question Could Make or Break the Offense in 2026

The Position That Could Make or Break Pittsburgh's Offense

Every offense has a make-or-break spot, and for the 2026 Steelers, it's the offensive tackle position. That's the word from longtime Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, who put it bluntly: whoever lines up at tackle, "they have to be good. Day one."

It's not just talk. The Steelers are betting big on continuity and development at a position where they currently have more questions than answers.

Fautanu's Big Switch

Troy Fautanu is sliding from right tackle to left tackle this offseason, and while there's confidence in his talent, it's still a leap of faith. He's got exactly one season of NFL experience, and he hasn't actually played left tackle since his college days. Left tackle is historically the premium pass-protection spot, tasked with handling a quarterback's blind side against the opposing team's best pass rusher. Asking a young player to make that switch on the fly is no small thing, even if the long-term upside is clear.

The Real Mystery: Right Tackle

If Fautanu is a calculated risk, the right tackle spot is a genuine open competition. Three names are in the mix: Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, and Broderick Jones.

Jones, a former first-round pick, has starting experience at both tackle spots but is currently working back from a neck injury, adding uncertainty to his availability. Cook flashed some solid tape late last season when he stepped in for an injured Jones, but now he's got a scouting report against him instead of the element of surprise. Iheanachor, the team's first-round rookie, is the long-term answer in theory, but most expect he won't be ready to start Week 1.

Why the Steelers Can't Afford to Get This Wrong

With so much offensive success tied to protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes, shaky tackle play can unravel everything else, no matter how good the skill-position talent is. A line that gets beat consistently off the edge forces quick, inaccurate throws and stalls the run game before it starts. For a Steelers team trying to modernize its offense and build real continuity up front, the tackle spots are the foundation everything else rests on.

What to Watch Going Forward

Training camp battles at right tackle will be one of the more important subplots of the Steelers' summer. Keep an eye on reps in padded practices and preseason snaps, that's where the pecking order between Cook, Iheanachor, and a recovering Jones will start to take shape. And don't sleep on Fautanu's transition either. If either bookend spot struggles early, it could force the Steelers into uncomfortable schematic adjustments before the season even gets rolling.