Former Steelers Super Bowl Champion Is Convinced Troy Fautanu Is Turning Into A "Young Stud"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have surpassed all expectations on offense through six games. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's unit has put up 24 or more points in four games, including multiple games of 30 points or more. 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers (14 touchdown passes so far in 2025) is proving that age is just a number. Part of the reason why the NFL legend has had such a good start to the season is because his offensive line has kept him upright for the most part. In three of the last four games, the offensive line has allowed Rodgers to be sacked zero times. That is outstanding work.

Specifically along the offensive line, young right tackle Troy Fautanu has emerged as a really consistent player. The second-year standout out of Washington has started all six games this season with confidence. Former Steelers two-time Super Bowl-winning offensive guard Trai Essex took to social media recently to highlight how well Fautanu played in Pittsburgh's Thursday night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals:

"Troy is quietly turning into a young stud at RT. He's already deploying some vet moves. Folks don't realize, offensive linemen have an arsenal of punches and sets too. It's all about having the confidence to use them."

Any time a team decides to start a young offensive tackle when its quarterback is 41 years of age, it could be a little nerve-wracking because experience is such a crucial part of professional football. However, Fautanu is proving that he is more than ready to stand tall and protect his quarterback at a high level. 

The former Morris Trophy winner is the true present, and potentially, future at right tackle in the Steel City, which should make Steelers fans feel very comfortable. 

Steelers Must Prepare to Face Tough Defensive Lines In Near Future

With Fautanu showing signs of greatness early on during the 2025 season, it couldn't have come at a better time. Pittsburgh is set to face some of the better defenses and defensive lines in the league over the next few weeks. This Sunday night, Rodgers' old team, the first-place Green Bay Packers, will be coming to town. Micah Parsons and co. currently rank sixth in total defense (288.5 total yards allowed per game). After the Packers, the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts will be coming to the Steel City. The Colts are currently tied-for-fifth in the league in sacks (19). Then, former Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack and the Los Angeles Chargers will await Pittsburgh. If you want to look even further, All-Pro edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals will come back to Pittsburgh in four weeks.

There are no weeks off in the NFL, which is something that young players such as Fautanu have to learn very quickly. Again however, he has performed at a very high level so far this season. Keep in mind too that Steelers starting running back Jaylen Warren is on pace for over 1,400 scrimmage yards, which would be a career-high for him. Whether it is Pittsburgh's passing offense or rushing offense, both have been positively affected by the performance of Fautanu and his teammates in the trenches.

The fans of Pittsburgh have been waiting nearly a decade for a playoff win. The performance of the offensive line will have a direct correlation to the team snapping this streak this season. If Rodgers can continue to be protected, the offense more likely than not will be able to keep this team in games. However, the two biggest X-factors for this team the rest of the way will be the performances of the defense and the offensive line. After a tough divisional loss in Cincinnati last week, time will tell if Fautanu and the Steelers will come out with a new attitude against the Packers on Sunday night.

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