Steelers' Reliable Lineman Could Shockingly Hold Starting Job

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent a lot of draft capital trying to rebuild their offensive line, but one of the most important answers on the right side may already be in the building.

Spencer Anderson has never been the flashiest name in Pittsburgh’s offensive line room. He was not a first-round pick. He was not introduced as a franchise cornerstone. He has not been discussed the same way as Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, or Mason McCormick.

That does not mean he is out of the starting conversation. If anything, Anderson may be in one of the best positions of his career entering 2026. The Steelers have used him at multiple spots, trusted him as a depth piece, and now appear to be giving him a real chance to settle in on the right side of the offensive line. That matters for a team trying to become more stable and more physical up front under Mike McCarthy.

Matt Williamson discussed Pittsburgh’s right-side offensive line outlook on The Drive and made a notable distinction between Anderson and Dylan Cook.

"I think Anderson has a better chance than Cook of being a 17-game starter," Williamson said.

That is a strong statement because Cook has also been getting a legitimate opportunity. Steelers.com recently noted that Pittsburgh’s initial starting five has included Anderson at right guard and Cook at right tackle, while emphasizing that the organization is trying to identify the best five linemen, not just the five with the highest draft profiles.

That is where Anderson’s case becomes interesting. The Steelers’ offensive line has more upside than it has had in years, but it is still not completely settled. Fautanu and McCormick appear to give Pittsburgh a strong left side. Frazier is a foundational piece at center. The right side is where the competition gets more complicated.

Anderson has a path because he offers the one thing coaches usually value more than fans realize: trust.

The Steelers know what Anderson can handle. He has played different roles. He has been in the system. He has shown he can survive when asked to step in. That does not make him a finished product, but it does make him a safer option than some of the players still trying to prove they can handle a full NFL workload.

Cook’s situation is different. He has the size and tools to be intriguing at tackle, but he also faces the reality that Pittsburgh invested a first-round pick in Max Iheanachor. Even if Iheanachor is not handed the job immediately, the Steelers are going to want him on the field eventually. First-round tackles do not usually sit forever unless something has gone wrong.

That creates a different kind of pressure for Cook than Anderson. Anderson is battling for a guard spot where his versatility and experience could give him staying power. Cook is trying to hold off a first-round tackle who represents a major part of Pittsburgh’s future. That does not guarantee Cook loses the job, but it does make Williamson’s point easier to understand.

Steelers May Already Trust Anderson

The Steelers do not need Anderson to be a superstar for this to work. They need him to be steady. They need him to communicate, avoid assignment mistakes, and fit into an offensive line that should be asked to do a lot more in 2026.

McCarthy’s offense should demand timing, detail, and consistency. Aaron Rodgers will help the protection with his experience and command at the line of scrimmage, but that does not remove the responsibility from the players in front of him. If anything, Rodgers’ presence raises the standard for the entire group.

Anderson’s value is that he may allow the Steelers to avoid forcing a younger player into the lineup before he is ready.

That could be important early in the season. Pittsburgh does not need the offensive line to peak in Week 1, but it does need the unit to avoid becoming a liability. The Steelers have playoff expectations. They have an older quarterback. They have a new offensive structure. They cannot afford constant instability up front.

Anderson gives them a practical option. There is still plenty of time for the competition to change. Training camp and preseason reps will matter. Iheanachor could push his way into the lineup faster than expected. Cook could prove he belongs at right tackle. Brock Hoffman and Gennings Dunker could also factor into the broader conversation.

Still, Anderson’s situation feels different. He is not just fighting for a roster spot anymore. He may be fighting to keep a starting job that the coaching staff already believes he can handle. If he does that, the Steelers’ right side could look less uncertain than it appears from the outside.

Williamson’s comment makes one thing clear: Anderson is not just a temporary name on the first-team line.

He may be Pittsburgh’s best bet to stay there.

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