Multiple Steelers Starters May Have Just Lost Their Jobs After Problematic 2-Week Showing

The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of their worst offensive showings in years. They had obvious trouble moving the ball downfield and getting into good scoring position. Even when they were successful in making a long, efficient drive, a massive negative play seemed to constantly ruin momentum. Significant changes have to be made now, or else Pittsburgh won't be able to win games at this rate. Despite having a new coaching staff, this team still relies way too much on defensive splash plays to carry the offense, and that is not a recipe for success. 

The offensive line is arguably the main catalyst to this abysmal offense. The new coaching staff tried flipping the entire unit this offseason, and it hasn't worked thus far. That led to quarterback Aaron Rodgers getting annihilated in the pocket while the running backs have no room to make anything happen. If that unit upfront doesn't get better soon, the 2026 season may already be over for Pittsburgh.

It's clear change needs to happen. In his latest article on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, insider Ray Fittipaldo spoke about how that change would start out.

"[Mike] McCarthy has to make wholesale changes on the right side of the offensive line and hope Max Iheanachor and Brock Hoffman can provide a spark, because Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook are not getting the job done," Fittipaldo said.

Making these moves likely won't fix the whole problem, but it can't be that much worse than what Pittsburgh has going on now. The big reason that Anderson and Cook are being singled out is because of draft pedigree (on top of recent performance). It is a lot easier to replace a seventh-round utility lineman and an undrafted player than it is to bench a former first-round pick. Whether that's fair or not, it has to be done to try and get a spark out of this unit. 

The main reason that the Steelers flipped the whole offensive line was so first-round rookie Max Iheanachor would fit in at right tackle, and he hasn't even started yet. He's been sitting on the bench while Dylan Cook has consistently been beaten off of that spot. The rookie has shown promise and the ability to learn quickly. It might be best to see how quickly he can learn to be a quality starter by being inserted into the lineup immediately.

Meanwhile, it's surprising to see Spencer Anderson looking lost at right guard. This is considering he has played every single position on the line since college, and he has fit in well wherever the Steelers have needed him. He may be better off as a swing tackle and a backup at any position at this point. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to give the free agent acquisition Brock Hoffman a chance to see what he is capable of.

Hoffman was signed to provide depth in the interior and compete with Anderson for the starting right guard spot, but he lost rather convincingly. This could be his chance to prove his abilities to the coaches. If neither this nor the Iheanachor experiment end up working -- if the Steelers choose to do that -- Pittsburgh may need to start signing veterans off the street to come in and play meaningful snaps.

Steelers Could Ruin Rodgers' Last Ride

If the Steelers can't fix this offensive line, it's hard to imagine Rodgers being able to play all 17 games. He has taken a beating over these first two weeks, and it's not expected to stop soon. At 42 years old going on 43, his body likely can't handle taking all these hits like it did when he was with the Green Bay Packers. Mason Rudolph better get prepared just in case worst comes to worst behind this line.

What do you think about the Steelers possibly benching their starters on the right side of the line in favor of Hoffman and Iheanachor? Would that help keep Rodgers upright throughout the season? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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