Steelers Hit With Harsh Reality Ahead Of Training Camp: "They Could Go Down"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an exciting season coming up with a ton of changes surrounding the team. That, of course, begins with the new coaching staff and how that group operates, but the roster is also different in a lot of ways. The Steelers, on paper, are a better team than they were at this time a season ago. However, changes can cause an adjustment period, and that is especially true on the offensive line. There is a lot of shuffling around going on up front due to injuries and acquisitions, and that group is going to be a vital part of this team's success or failure in 2026.

Pittsburgh's offensive line played okay during the 2025 season, but there was definitely room for improvement. The group had some bad games, and there were some clear weaknesses. The unit is changing significantly in 2026 as the only constant is going to be that Zach Frazier is the starting center. Both Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick are switching to the left side of the line, while Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook are taking their spots at right guard and right tackle, respectively.

The offensive line is important to any team, but that is especially true as the Steelers will be trying to protect a 42-year-old quarterback while trying to establish the run game. Analyst Mike Renner recently discussed the offensive line for Pittsburgh on an episode of Pushing The Pile, and he is not high on the group.

"You have Troy Fautanu, who is flipping from right tackle to left tackle 'cause Broderick Jones had a spinal fusion," Renner explained. "You have rookie contract guys at left guard and center. Even if Zach Frazier's one of the best centers in the NFL already, there's a lot of moving parts here, and they could even go down a tier this year into the 'could get ugly' tier. Especially since the first-rounders you've used on this offensive line, like Broderick Jones, like I said, unlikely to play this year with that spinal fusion. Then Max Iheanachor, everyone knew that he was a project coming in and probably not a guy you wanna start right away. A lot of moving parts for that Steelers offensive line."

Renner does not seem to like the idea of the shuffling on the offensive line, and the inexperience as he mentioned the rookie contracts and rookie Max Iheanachor. Pittsburgh spent a first-round pick on a tackle, and Fautanu, McCormick, and Frazier have all performed extremely well early on in their careers.

Renner also mentions the loss of Broderick Jones quite a bit, and what has happened to him is really unfortunate, but he was one of the worst tackles in football in 2025. Cook came in and outplayed him, and Jones would have been fighting for a job in training camp if he was healthy. The concern around the moving parts on the offensive line is understandable, but the talent is there for this group to be really good. Iheanachor could also surprise some people if he is able to crack the starting lineup, and the same can be said for Gennings Dunker.

Steelers Have Also Upgraded On The Coaching Staff

Part of the changes on the coaching staff during the 2026 offseason included a change at offensive line coach. Pat Meyer is out and James Campen is in. Meyer was criticized throughout his tenure for not being able to develop the younger guys on the roster, including players like Jones. Campen is one of the more respected offensive line coaches in the league, so hopefully the group can excel from him leading them. 

This could also be good for rookies like Iheanachor and Dunker.

What do you think about these comments from Renner on Pittsburgh's offensive line? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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