As the 2026 NFL Draft got going, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a decision that raised plenty of eyebrows when they selected Max Iheanachor in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Many fans weren’t thrilled with the pick, especially after the Steelers appeared close to landing wide receiver Makai Lemon before the Philadelphia Eagles jumped in and stole the selection.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' offensive lineman, including Max Iheanachor (71) walk on the field after getting finished up at a 2026 rookie minicamp workout in Pittsburgh, PA.
After that, Omar Khan quickly pivoted and selected Iheanachor. The reaction was mixed, with many fans disappointed that the team went from an exciting wide receiver prospect to an offensive tackle viewed as a less flashy pick. Those concerns only grew when people realized Iheanachor came to the Steelers after not playing football for most of his life.
However, early signs out of training camp suggest the Steelers may have found something special in Iheanachor. Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh recently highlighted Iheanachor’s impressive performance during one-on-one drills against some of Pittsburgh’s top pass rushers, showcasing why the team was willing to bet on his rare athletic traits.
"Another really impressive set of one-on-ones from Max Iheanachor," Farabaugh said. "He beat TJ Watt, Nick Herbig, and Jack Sawyer. A perfect 4-0, in my book. His footwork is just really impressive. He's easily able to mirror speed rushes."
This report from Farabaugh lines up with what attracted the Steelers to Iheanachor in the first place. While he may be raw and inexperienced as a football player, his background in soccer and basketball helped develop elite movement skills and footwork. Those are traits that are extremely valuable for an offensive tackle. So far, those unique traits appear to be translating early in training camp, and the Steelers may have found a legitimate building block on their offensive line.
Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images
Steelers' Max Iheanachor tries to block TJ Watt during his first training camp in 2026.
Iheanachor dominated at Arizona State despite his limited football background, and early in training camp, that lack of experience hasn’t appeared to hold him back. While it is still very early and Steelers Nation should remain cautious, the initial reports surrounding Iheanachor are certainly encouraging.
Steelers fans have every reason to be optimistic as Iheanachor is getting baptized by fire, going against some of the NFL’s most elite pass rushers every day in practice. That level of competition can only accelerate his development, and the fact that he isn’t just competing but winning against players like Watt is a very encouraging sign.
Steelers’ Offensive Line Continues To Get Richer
The Steelers’ offensive line was clearly a priority when Khan took over as general manager. He showed that immediately with his first major move, trading up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select offensive tackle Broderick Jones.
While Jones hasn’t quite developed into the player the Steelers hoped he would be yet, the team has still found success with several other offensive line additions. Now, with Iheanachor gaining early momentum in training camp, the Steelers’ offensive line continues to get stronger as a young unit builds chemistry and consistency together.
The group also has the benefit of James Campen leading the offensive line. Campen brings a wealth of experience and a no-nonsense coaching style, along with a proven track record of developing successful offensive lines during his time working under Mike McCarthy.
The Steelers are building the foundation of their offense in the trenches, and Iheanachor’s early progress only adds to the optimism surrounding the unit. All eyes will be on the young tackle as he grows in the Steel City.
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