The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a lot of concerns about the offensive line throughout the 2026 training camp and preseason. They decided to completely flip the unit so that they could easily plug in first-round rookie Max Iheanachor whenever he's ready. What that has unfortunately led to is key players taking a step back as they try to learn how to do the same thing from the other side of the line. There will almost certainly be some growing pains in the beginning of the campaign as everyone tries to get used to their new positions.
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Steelers' Mason McCormick and Troy Fautanu working in front of quarterback Aaron Rodgers during their 2026 training camp.
The preseason looked very shaky, especially for the offensive tackles. What appeared to be a position of great depth suddenly looked like one that lacked any sort of depth. Iheanachor is the only backup there, and he can only play on the right side. Troy Fautanu and Dylan Cook looked great in 2025, but they don't appear to be ready to reach those heights yet after swapping spots.
There is still a lot of potential with the unit, and offensive line coach James Campen is very excited about one player in particular. He explained his mindset while speaking on 93.7 The Fan.
"Very proud of [Dylan Cook]. He’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do" Campen said. "He’s gone over and played left in case he’s needed there. He’s grown. He’s getting his feet underneath him, his base... We are all very proud of him. He’s a Montana kid that was a free agent that doesn’t accept losing. He’s a good football player, glad we have him."
Cook burst onto the scene in 2025 when left tackle Broderick Jones went down with an unfortunate neck injury. Cook came in and immediately proved to be an upgrade as a blindside blocker. That performance allowed him to gain pole position of the starting right tackle job to begin the 2026 offseason program when he and Fautanu flipped spots on the line.
When Cook first switched from quarterback to offensive lineman, he primarily played on the right side. Ironically, he has looked much better while working at left tackle in Pittsburgh. The hope is that he can continue this growth while going back to his natural position, but either way, Campen is clearly very pleased with what the former undrafted free agent has shown him in their limited time together.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook warms up ahead of OTAs (organized team activities) in 2026 offseason.
Cook will have to play his best at all times. If he ends up struggling out of the gate, the Steelers will feel inclined to make Iheanachor the starting right tackle to see what he is capable of. The new coaching staff also values versatility, so having a backup that can play both tackle positions will be seen as a boost for Pittsburgh. They may be looking for any reason to bench him because he remains valuable sitting behind the rookie.
Steelers Won't Be Able To Enjoy Cook's Growth For Long
Whether Cook ends up starting the whole season or not, his time in Pittsburgh will most likely come to a close after the 2026 season. The Steelers know which five players they want to have starting on their line for the future, and unfortunately, the former undrafted free agent is not one of them. With how well he has played in 2025, he won't have to worry too much about it.
High-quality offensive tackles don't grow on trees. There will definitely be a market for Cook in free agency. It's unclear exactly how much he will make, but the Tennessee Titans did give $20.5 million per year to Dan Moore Jr. in the 2025 offseason. If the current starting right tackle can play like he did at the end of the previous season, he should be able to cash in on a sizable paycheck.
What do you think about Campen and the Steelers being proud of Cook? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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