Steelers Are Likely To Have Some Unexpected Starters During The 2026 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers now have a better idea of what the team is going to look heading into the regular season. The 2026 NFL Draft, along with the team actually getting on the field during offseason activities, has provided some clarity when it comes to what the starting lineups could be to begin the 2026 season as well, and it has also shown that there will be a few interesting position battles taking place throughout training camp. 

The Steelers have an older roster that is full of a ton of veterans, so that means a lot of the starting spots are already taken. However, there are a few that could be up for grabs and that could lead to some unexpected players cracking the starting lineup in Pittsburgh in 2026. The first place to look to find a situation like this is obviously the offensive line, specifically the right side. Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook are penciled in as the current starters at right guard and right tackle, respectively.

Brock Hoffman is a candidate to start at right guard, and he is a favorite of Head Coach Mike McCarthy as he played for him while the two were with the Dallas Cowboys. Rookie Gennings Dunker could also find his way into that starting job, which is something a lot of fans are probably rooting for. Max Iheanachor is more of a raw prospect as a first-round pick, so him cracking the starting lineup and taking Cook's job by the start of the regular season seems more unlikely.

The right side of the offensive line is the only spot fans might see some serious shakeup on the offensive side of the ball, while the defensive side has a much higher chance for fluctuation when it comes to the starting 11. The front seven especially could look a bit different in 2026. Young outside linebacker Nick Herbig signed a lucrative extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2030 season, and he should be on the field more. The Steelers will hopefully be using more three outside linebacker sets to utilize him more, but him cracking the starting lineup shouldn't be out of the question either.

The interior could also look a bit different on the defensive line. There is a world where Yahya Black could start over Keeanu Benton, which would probably be a good change for Pittsburgh. The two would rotate in for one another so Benton would still play a big role, and this could even allow him to get more reps at defensive tackle, which has always felt like his true position. This would make the starting defensive line Cam Heyward, Black, and Derrick Harmon, while Benton and Sebastian Joseph-Day would be the top two players off the bench. That is a dangerous unit if used correctly.

Steelers' Defensive Backfield Could See A Shift

The Steelers have three starting-caliber safeties in DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, and Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey is likely going to be the slot cornerback when Pittsburgh is in nickel with five defensive backs on the field. However, when the Steelers are in more of a traditional, base defensive alignment, only two of those three players will be on the field. Ramsey will likely be one of them to start the season simply due to the amount of money he is making, as well as his resume. The other safety will probably be Elliott, but Brisker could certainly make a push to be the guy on the field in those situations.

Elliott is coming off an injury, and he is only making about $1 million more than Brisker. That position group might be tighter than most fans would expect. Pittsburgh is in nickel more often than not, so it may be a pretty inconsequential decision between Elliott and Brisker.

What do you think of these potential position battles? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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