The Pittsburgh Steelers have a young offensive lineman who is easy to like, but insider Nick Farabaugh is not ready to hand Gennings Dunker a starting job yet. Dunker has the size, toughness, and run-blocking attitude Pittsburgh usually loves, but the question is whether his pass protection is ready for NFL speed.
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Steelers offensive linemen stand together during training camp in 2025.
Dunker became an interesting name after the Steelers added him to a changing offensive line room. Pittsburgh has invested heavily up front, and there is a natural urge to believe every young lineman can quickly become part of the solution. That is especially true when a player brings the kind of physical profile that makes fans think he can immediately help the running game.
The problem is that offensive line development is rarely that simple. A player can be a strong run blocker and still need time before coaches trust him in pass protection. That is where Farabaugh pumped the brakes during an appearance on 93.7 the fan.
“Dunker I think is the guy that everyone points to and says that you could start him,” Farabaugh said. “I’m not sure Gennings Dunker is going to be ready. I think he’s a little raw with footwork a little bit. I think his pad level is a little high. I think he’s a good run blocker right now, but I think pass pro is going to be an issue.”
That is the kind of evaluation that should slow down the conversation. Farabaugh was not dismissing Dunker as a prospect. He was separating the traits that make him exciting from the technical issues that could get exposed if Pittsburgh asks too much of him too soon.
The pass-protection concern is the biggest part of this. Run blocking allows a young lineman to attack. Pass protection forces him to stay patient, keep his base under control, handle counters, adjust to speed, and avoid leaning. If a lineman’s pad level is too high or his footwork gets loose, NFL defensive linemen will find it quickly.
That is why Dunker’s path may require patience. He can still be part of the Steelers’ future without being forced into the lineup right away. Pittsburgh has seen enough young offensive linemen go through uneven development to understand that talent and readiness are not the same thing.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers offensive lineman Gennings Dunker stands on the field and speaks to the media after a 2026 offseason workout in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers also have to be careful because of what they are trying to build around Aaron Rodgers. A veteran quarterback changes the urgency. Pittsburgh cannot treat protection issues like a minor inconvenience if it expects Rodgers to give the offense a real chance. The offensive line has to be stable enough to keep the passing game on schedule.
That makes Dunker’s development an important subplot. If he cleans up the footwork and pad-level issues, his run-blocking strength could become valuable. If those flaws linger, he may be better suited as depth while the coaching staff works through the technical details.
Pittsburgh’s protection plan already has plenty of moving pieces, especially with the team still sorting through young linemen and the long-term shape of the offense. Mike McCarthy’s evaluation of the quarterback room also matters here, with Will Howard still trying to prove what he can become in Pittsburgh’s offense. The Steelers need their offensive line development to match that bigger plan.
The encouraging part is that Dunker does have a useful foundation. Farabaugh called him a good run blocker, and that matters. The Steelers want to be more physical. They want linemen who can move people. They want a front that can close games instead of putting everything on the quarterback.
Dunker fits that personality. The challenge is making sure the technical side catches up.
Steelers Cannot Rush Gennings Dunker Into A Bad Spot
The Steelers should want Dunker competing. They should want him pushing for snaps. They should want his run-blocking mentality in the building. None of that means they should ignore warning signs in pass protection.
A young lineman can lose confidence quickly if he is thrown into a role before he is ready. That is especially dangerous when the issues are technical. Footwork and pad level can be improved, but they usually require repetition, coaching, and time against NFL-caliber rushers.
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Steelers offensive lineman Gennings Dunker goes through a drill during one of the team's 2026 rookie minicamp workouts as his positional coach James Campen looks on.
Dunker may eventually become exactly the kind of blocker Pittsburgh wants. Farabaugh’s point is that the Steelers should not confuse long-term upside with immediate readiness. There is a difference between a player who looks like a Steeler and a player who is ready to protect like one.
For now, Dunker’s hype comes with a clear condition. The run-blocking ability is real, but the pass protection has to close the gap before he can become a trusted answer.
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