Steelers "Like" Under The Radar Offensive Tackle But 1 Problem

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have quietly protected one of their most mysterious offensive linemen while reshaping the entire position group. Jack Driscoll has never played a regular-season snap for Pittsburgh and will miss at least the first four games with an undisclosed injury. Nevertheless, the organization apparently sees something valuable in a player many fans barely know.

Pittsburgh's belief in Driscoll becomes more interesting after the team traded Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers surrendered Jones and a 2027 fourth-round pick in exchange for third- and sixth-round selections. That deal ended an uneven three-year experiment. Moving a former 14th overall selection created a question about the experienced tackle depth behind rookie Max Iheanachor and Troy Fautanu.

Mark Kaboly offered a fascinating possible answer Monday night on Kaboly + Mack. While discussing Pittsburgh's decision to move Jones, Kaboly returned to something he had previously heard about how the organization views Driscoll.

"I told you the other day [the Steelers] like Jack Driscoll, who's out for the first four weeks because of an undisclosed injury," Kaboly said. "But he's on IR, so maybe they can see something from him more than they saw from Broderick."

That is an enormous statement about an almost anonymous player. Kaboly did not report that Pittsburgh ranked Driscoll above Jones, and his use of "maybe" matters. However, the Steelers' actions support the possibility that confidence in Driscoll made trading Jones easier. Pittsburgh did not end Driscoll's entire season. The Steelers designated him to return, preserving the opportunity to activate him after four games. Teams have limited return designations, so using one reflects a deliberate decision that he could help later.

Driscoll's obscurity around Pittsburgh is understandable. The Steelers signed him to their practice squad in October 2025, elevated him three times and added him to the active roster on the final day of December. He never entered a game before returning on a one-year contract in March.

His NFL résumé provides more substance. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Driscoll in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he has appeared in 67 regular-season games with 18 starts. His experience at right tackle and guard gives Pittsburgh a veteran capable of backing up multiple spots.

That versatility could be particularly important after Jones' departure. Iheanachor is expected to receive the first opportunity at right tackle, but asking a rookie to survive an entire season without experienced insurance would be unnecessarily risky. Driscoll gives the Steelers another possible solution once he becomes eligible to return.

The mystery is that even Kaboly cannot claim extensive familiarity with him. His hilarious admission captured exactly how unknown Driscoll remains despite apparently earning meaningful trust inside Pittsburgh's facility.

"I mean, I don't know much about Jack Driscoll," Kaboly said. "He can come up and punch me in the face, and I wouldn't know who he is."

Steelers fans probably understand that feeling. Driscoll arrived without attention, spent most of last season behind the scenes and then suffered an injury before establishing himself publicly. He has become an important name without doing anything memorable in a Pittsburgh uniform.

That unusual path makes him one of the roster's most intriguing hidden pieces. The Steelers know far more about Driscoll than the public does because they watched him practice for months, brought him back and intentionally preserved his chance to return.

Steelers Could Unleash Jack Driscoll After Four-Game Absence

Driscoll does not need to become a permanent starter for Pittsburgh's confidence to make sense. A dependable swing lineman who can cover tackle and guard carries substantial value, especially when the offensive line includes young starters and a rookie competing for immediate snaps.

His return could also create flexibility in how the Steelers handle Iheanachor. If the rookie plays well, Driscoll becomes experienced depth. If Iheanachor struggles, Pittsburgh would gain an alternative without forcing another starter to change positions or searching for help after the season begins.

Is Driscoll Pittsburgh's hidden answer behind Iheanachor, or should the team still pursue another proven offensive tackle? Share your Steelers thoughts with me on X (@anthonyghalkias), and follow me for more Black and Gold roster coverage. 

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