Steelers Will Seriously Lean On OT Troy Fautanu In 2025 To Solidify The Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reloading the trenches. It’s not just because of who they’ve added either, but because of who’s coming back. A year ago, first-round pick Troy Fautanu looked like a lock to start at right tackle. The blueprint was already drawn: second-year offensive lineman Broderick Jones would move over to his more natural spot at left tackle, clearing the path for Fautanu to take over the right side. That plan, however, never made it out of the preseason.

Injuries derailed Fautanu’s rookie campaign in 2024 before it ever truly got started, but now with training camp on the horizon and a reshuffled offensive line ahead of him, expectations are high for the former Washington standout to deliver in Year 2.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report expanded on this and how the Steelers are looking to lean on Fautanu in his sophomore season. With veteran Dan Moore Jr. now with the Tennessee Titans, that has allowed Pittsburgh to showcase both of their young first-round tackles going into the 2025 NFL season.

"This offseason, the Steelers allowed starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to leave in free agency," explained Sobleski. "Jones will now make the switch, while the organization will be counting on Fautanu to solidify the offense, despite barely playing as a rookie."

The quote highlights the Steelers’ strategic reliance on Fautanu to become a key piece in their offensive line moving forward. Despite his limited experience due to injuries, the organization’s confidence in Fautanu’s potential to “solidify the offense” indicates high expectations for his development and performance. 

This responsibility is amplified by the uncertainty at quarterback, where the team may lean heavily on a strong offensive line to support either an aging Aaron Rodgers, or a lesser proven option. Fautanu’s ability to rise to this challenge could be pivotal in shaping the Steelers’ offensive identity, potentially emphasizing a run-heavy scheme that relies on a sturdy, youthful offensive front.

The biggest piece of the puzzle however, remains Jones. The 2023 first-round pick was asked to switch to right tackle to accommodate Moore Jr. on the left side. Now, with Moore gone via free agency, Jones can finally slide into his more comfortable spot on the blind side — just as the team intended when they originally drafted him.

While fans are still learning what Fautanu brings to the table, the staff already knows. Head Coach Mike Tomlin clearly didn’t need more than a few weeks of practice reps last year to give the rookie a starting role. That doesn’t happen without total trust in a player’s physical tools, mental processing, and ability to handle the speed of NFL pass rushers. If Fautanu can continue his ascension in 2025, along with the hopeful progress from Jones, the Steelers could be set at offensive tackle for years to come.

Steelers Will Need Fautanu To Help Re-Shape Pittsburgh's Identity

Pittsburgh likes to trust their process — draft, develop, and invest in the trenches. Fautanu is a huge piece of that puzzle. His ability to finally step into a full season could be one of the defining factors for the 2025 team. Based on what Tomlin said as well — and did — last year, the trust is already there. All that’s left is for the big man to stay healthy and dominate. Fautanu’s return couldn’t come at a better time for a team that’s still shaping its identity. 

He has the talent, the backing of the coaching staff, and now a fully rebuilt offensive line around him. Year 2 is a chance to prove that the Steelers had it right all along — and that their long-term plan up front is finally ready to take off.

Do you think Fautanu has a better season ahead of him? Let us know in the comments below!

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