The Pittsburgh Steelers had several moving parts during the 2026 offseason and things have been very busy in the Steel City. With new head coach Mike McCarthy entering his first season with the franchise, there is an entirely new staff as well as a roster with several new faces. One of those new faces is the team's first-round draft pick, offensive lineman Max Iheanachor. The rookie lineman from Arizona State University joins an offensive line that is already relatively young. In 2025, the line shuffled a lot because of injuries and one of those players that was injured is ready to mentor Iheanachor.
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Steelers newly drafted offensive lineman Max Iheanachor looks on during a college game while playing for Arizona State.
Many felt that the selection of Iheanachor was underwhelming, but the team needed help at the position. Veteran guard Isaac Seumalo departed Pittsburgh and signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, leaving another void on top of injuries ahead of the 2026 campaign.
With Iheanachor entering his first year, one offensive lineman for the Black and Gold has made it apparent he will shift his role a bit while his future is uncertain and is focused on helping to mentor the Arizona State product.
Chris Harlan of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently spoke with offensive lineman Broderick Jones and he mentioned taking on a different role to try and help out the team in mentoring the rookie as he is uncertain of his future. Jones had his 2025 season cut short due to a neck injury sustained during Week 12; thus, resulting in him undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Now, he is going to help the Black and Gold in a different way given the unknown future of his career with the organization.
"Of course, they have to do what they do to protect themselves at the end of the day," Jones said. "I don’t have any ill will or anything toward them. I’m down to help Max [Iheanachor] wherever he needs me. Because at the end of the day, all of us got to be ready.”
The team declined Jones' fifth-year option worth $19.1 million for the 2027 season due to his recent injury situation. Jones is expected to be back on the field in 2026 at some point, but when exactly that will be is still unknown. Dylan Cook filled in during the 2025 season while Jones was on the shelf and now appears like he will have a significant role on the offensive line in 2026.
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Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions.
Steelers' Leadership Will Play Crucial Role In 2026 And Beyond
Jones mentoring Iheanachor in 2026 could play a key role in his development as he transitions from college to the NFL. It is the kind of leadership that you want to see out of a guy who has battled through adversity so far in his career. His experiences can help with polishing Iheanachor and make him a successful first-round pick for Pittsburgh. Leadership will also play a key role in the Steel City from the coaching staff, especially when it comes to Iheanachor and the offensive line.
James Campen joined McCarthy's staff this offseason and he is also joined by former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Jahri Evans, who is the assistant offensive line coach. Evans, who actually played for McCarthy in the 2017 season, was enshrined into the Saints Ring of Honor. Across 12 seasons in the NFL, Evans played 11 of them in New Orleans.
Michael C. Hebert / New Orleans Saints
Former Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans speaking at a halftime ceremony in which he was inducted into the Saints hall of honor.
Evans will join McCarthy again in the NFL as one of his assistant coaches on his new staff for the Steelers. Evans' success and experience can offer a huge boost to a relatively young offensive line, as can Jones' mentoring of Iheanachor. If the leadership of this new coaching staff can get the players to buy in, it will be huge for their chances at finding success in 2026 and beyond.
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