Steelers Coach Is Noncommittal As Major Questions Loom Over The Offensive Line (Steelers News)
Steelers News

Steelers Coach Is Noncommittal As Major Questions Loom Over The Offensive Line

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are just one week away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and one area that fans are hoping gets addressed is the offensive line. The team has attacked the trenches a lot over the last several years, but the entire left side of the offensive line remains an issue. The right side and the center position are just fine, but the left side is going to need some work. There are holes at both left tackle and left guard, and the Steelers should be expected to use a high selection in the draft on either one of those spots.

Steelers Isaac Seumalo and Broderick Jones

Matt Durisko / Associated Press

Former Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo and current tackle Broderick Jones blocking in an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Broderick Jones was supposed to be Pittsburgh's franchise left tackle, but the team has done him no favors throughout his career so far. He has jumped around positions on the line, and now he is attempting to bounce back from a serious neck injury that he suffered during the 2025 season. He was seen at Phase One of voluntary offseason workouts, which is a good sign. The other option at left tackle would be Dylan Cook, and he filled in for Jones at the end of the 2025 season and played fairly well, but his lack of legitimate experience makes him hard to rely on.

The situation at left guard is arguably worse. Pittsburgh lost Isaac Seumalo in free agency as he went to sign with the Arizona Cardinals, and the only real options on the roster right now are Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman. New offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio spoke to the media on Friday, and he was asked about the situation on the left side of the line.

"With all the positions, we've got to get the best five out there," Angelichio said. "Certainly, the right side, they've played together a lot last year. But, you know, with Broderick, we'll get him back and healthy when he can get out there and start rolling. He's been doing a great job, been here, been in the meetings. We'll see, obviously Spencer's played a bunch of football, we have guys that have played football. So we'll just see where that thing goes as we progress through, and ultimately, training camp is when a lot of those things will take shape."

Angelichio was very noncommittal when it came to the left side of the offensive line, but he mentioned both Jones and Anderson. Assuming both players are healthy, they would probably be the two starters at those positions as of right now. However, a lot can change with the 2026 NFL Draft coming up.

Steelers Olaivavega Ioane

ยฉ Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

Olaivavega Ioane during his time at Penn State after winning a game in the College Football Playoff.

The Steelers currently hold the 21st overall pick in the event, and drafting an offensive lineman is certainly on the table. Olaivavega Ioane is a player that the franchise would run to the podium for as he is seen as the best guard available in the draft, while there is a chance that a good tackle prospect could also fall to Pittsburgh. Either way, the Steelers should be able to patch up at least one of their holes on the offensive line in the first round of the event.


Steelers May Be Giving Smokescreens With Friday's Statements

With press conferences coming just a week before the draft, it is important to remember that members of a coaching staff do not have to be transparent with the media. Angelichio's comments made it sound like the franchise is confident with the players that are currently on the roster when it comes to fixing up the left side of the offensive line, but that could just be to throw other teams off of the organization's scent. 

Steelers Brian Angelichio

Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images

Former Minnesota Vikings tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Brian Angelichio.

Pittsburgh doesn't want the teams picking behind them to know they might be trying to land an offensive lineman, as that leaves the franchise at risk of getting leapfrogged in the draft order via trade.


What do you think about Angelichio's comments? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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