Steelers' Gennings Dunker Has An Interesting Way Of Finding The Field In 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't shied away from adding youth to their trenches over the past few years. The front office's last four first-round picks have addressed the area, with three of the four being offensive tackles. The great offensive line rebuild didn't slow down in 2026. Pittsburgh took one of the aforementioned tackles, Max Iheanachor, with their first-round pick, and selected tackle converted to guard Gennings Dunker in the third round. 

With the offensive line having a surge of youth, the team is in good hands for the future. Though with this comes some problems with roles, the offensive line overhaul has created two key position battles. 

Those coming at right guard and tackle. With guard Mason McCormick and tackle Troy Fautanu, switching from the right to the left, this leaves the two spots at right wide open for whoever can prove themselves before the season's start. Pittsburgh will have to make some vital decisions in training camp in order to make the best decision on a combination. 

The guard spot is where things get especially tricky, as multiple capable guards could make a case to be the starter. With the Steelers' 2023 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson, free agent signee Brock Hoffman, and the rookie, Dunker, all battling, things could be heating up when training camp rolls around. Steelers beat writer Jim Wexell pointed out the abundance of talent at guard and some encouraging news for Dunker's chances at the position. Wexell spoke on the Steel City Insider podcast. 

"They have a high number of guards. I mean, capable guards to help a team out, like a Brock Hoffman, a Spencer Anderson, if they want to promote Dunker," Wexell said. 

Though Dunker won't start right away, the insurance policy of having veteran guard talent on the team will only help him acclimate. He'll have some time to develop behind two experienced players at the position, which could help propel him further. Neither Anderson nor Hoffman is necessarily a star, but they are nice depth pieces. If Dunker can prove himself throughout camp, he could make a real case for himself. 

The multi-time hay bale throwing champion, Dunker, played tackle throughout his collegiate career. He will be playing a new position in the Steel City, but his skill set translates a lot better to guard at the professional level. The six-foot-five, 319-pounder will have to get comfortable there, but his strength will allow him to get better hand placement at guard, as faster edge rushers may disrupt his rhythm. He isn't the most athletic, but his ability to climb to the second level and take on inside linebackers can open up huge holes for Steelers running backs. 

The offensive line will have a lot of moving parts, but Dunker is the future at guard. The question is, when will he get that starting role? It could happen as early as this season, whether that is through proving himself in camp or filling in for an injury. If he can make some refinements to his game, he could be the next starting right guard for the Steelers. 

Steelers' Offensive Line Plan Is Coming To Fruition

The Steelers brass' focus on the trenches has left many fans wondering when enough adding was enough adding, but the plan has been working well so far. Between Fautanu, McCormick, and center Zach Frazier, the Steelers have found themselves with three elite starters through the draft. With guys like Iheanachor and Dunker knocking at the door, Pittsburgh has plenty of young options on its line who could cement the future there. 

With a lot of resources, particularly draft picks, being allocated to the unit, the plan to rebuild the line has been working. Now the rookies will have a chance to continue that trend in 2026, with Iheanachor and Dunker potentially fighting for starting roles at their respective positions. 

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