The Pittsburgh Steelers are well into training camp and Monday was the first day that the players put the full pads on. New head coach Mike McCarthy is not an advocate of live tackling during practices, so these days are not going to have the same level of physicality that was present when Mike Tomlin was running the show. The players won't be bringing one another to the ground, but this is a good time to evaluate the offensive and defensive lines as those players will be engaging fully in drills. This is big for the Steelers as both groups are rather young for the team, and a lot has been invested in the offensive line in recent offseasons.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Max Iheanachor smiles while getting his photos taken with the team after being selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The most recent investment in the offensive line is Max Iheanachor, who is a right tackle out of Arizona State. He was picked by Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the selection can be viewed as a risky one. He has not played football for long as he started playing the sport at a community college before transferring to Arizona State. Because of that, there is a ton of untapped potential with the right tackle. He will be competing for a starting spot throughout training camp, but the main focus is going to be on his development as the coaching staff tries to turn him into a starting tackle for the future of the franchise.
The rookie has looked good throughout training camp so far, and left guard Mason McCormick was asked about Iheanachor after practice on Monday. He had nothing but good things to say.
"He's doing a tremendous job," McCormick said. "I think he's got a good base about him. He's a big, strong kid. And he's eager to get better, which is a big thing."
The last point about Iheanachor wanting to get better is probably the most important thing. Iheanachor wants to develop and become the best player that he can, which is exactly what the organization wants to get out of him. He shouldn't be rushed onto the field until the coaching staff is confident that he can go out there and make a positive impact.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Max Iheanachor tours the facility after being drafted and looks on at all six Lombardi Trophies.
Iheanachor is going to be competing with Dylan Cook and Broderick Jones to be the starting right tackle, but it is more than likely that he begins the regular season on the bench. Even if he isn't at the top of the depth chart, there is a chance he will see some snaps as a swing tackle. That was something the Steelers utilized a ton in 2025, but the team has a new offense in 2026, so it is hard to tell if that is something fans will see a lot of.
Steelers' Mason McCormick And Max Iheanachor Are Two Complete Opposites
There is a chance that McCormick and Iheanachor are starting on the same offensive line at some point during the 2026 season, and it is interesting to note just how different their backgrounds are. McCormick is from South Dakota and wound up playing his college football at South Dakota State. He played in college for six seasons, and he had many chances to transfer and make some extra money due to NIL. He chose to stay put and make a name for himself at South Dakota State, and he wound up being drafted in the fourth round by the Steelers back in 2024. He has turned into a reliable starter.
Iheanachor grew up in Nigeria and moved to America when he was 13. He didn't play football until college, and he had to transfer from a community college to a Pac-12 school in order to have a chance of reaching the league. He wound up going in the first round. Now these two have a chance to be a big part of the offense for years to come.
What do you think about McCormick's comments on Iheanachor? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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