Steelers Receive Definitive Answer On Intriguing Offensive Line Move

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to attack the wide receiver position during the 2026 NFL Draft. However, many analysts have thrown around the idea of them addressing their offensive line in the first round for the third time in four years. There are definitely some questions on the left side, but the first one is about how comfortable Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his staff are on who they have on the roster. They may pickup linemen early to develop into starters, or later as immediate depth pieces. 

One of those options involves moving Troy Fautanu to left tackle and drafting someone to fill his spot. The idea is that he can take the more important side of the line to replace the struggling and injured Broderick Jones, while a first-round pick comes in and immediately plugs in at right tackle. On paper, this is a great idea to raise the floor and the ceiling of the whole unit. Insider Brian Batko explained why that would not be the greatest idea, however. This came in his latest mailbag.

"I think Troy Fautanu is capable of making that move [to left tackle], but the better question is, do you want to do that if you're the Steelers, especially when he's getting comfortable not just with the right side, but the chemistry building with Mason McCormick?" Batko asked. "My guess there is no."

Fautanu had a great 2025 campaign at right tackle. Outside of the Wild Card game, he was dominant throughout the season. He and right guard Mason McCormick have developed some nice chemistry, as they communicate well to pick up stunts and keep the quarterback upright. There is no need fix one hole by creating another one. 

Fautanu could end up being a direct upgrade to Jones, but breaking up that chemistry and making both him and McCormick start over with getting to know the linemen next to them could be costly. They need to just keep what works and make sure they keep developing. If the Steelers are not comfortable with Jones, they can address the blind side instead of making shifts just to have to address another position.

With Fautanu, the hope is that he learns from his rough game in the playoffs and uses that experience to grow into a truly elite right tackle. He has already made amazing progress, despite missing almost an entire year to injury in his rookie season.

Steelers Still Have To Figure Out What To Do At Left Tackle

Jones was showing signs of improvement before he suffered that massive neck injury in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears last season. He hadn't reached his ceiling yet, but he went from highly questionable his rookie year, to a middle of the pack left tackle in 2025. Depending on how he recovers from surgery, he could be back in the starting lineup sooner rather than later. He is expected to be back for training camp at least, so that is a promising sign for the young tackle.

In his absence, Dylan Cook did an amazing job during the last few games of the 2025 season, and he has at least earned the right to compete for the starting role in 2026. Jones would likely have pole position due to the fact that he was a first-round pick, while his replacement was an undrafted free agent. Neither option however, should be immediately ruled out. Either way, progress is expected to be made at left tackle internally, while Fautanu continues to thrive in his spot. It's possible however, that the Steelers are considering an all-out shuffle upfront featuring Fautanu. 

What do you think about the Steelers being better off keeping Fautanu at right tackle? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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