The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some questions surrounding the offense in recent years. A lot of that has had to do with the uncertainty at quarterback and other skill positions, but the offensive line has also been an issue. That has been evident by the way the franchise has focused so much on improving the unit through the NFL Draft. In three of the last four first rounds, the Steelers have selected a tackle, and a second round pick was also used on the offensive line during the 2024 NFL Draft. Some of those selections have proven to be great, while others have been disasters.
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Steelers center Zach Frazier makes a call during a preseason game against the Packers in August 2026.
Center Zach Frazier is probably considered the leader of the offensive line in Pittsburgh, and he was the second-round pick in 2024. He has All-Pro potential, and it seems like he could be in Pittsburgh for a long time. At left tackle the Steelers have Troy Fautanu, and at left guard it is Mason McCormick. All three of them were drafted in 2024. At right guard it is Brock Hoffman who was signed in free agency, and then rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor at right tackle.
The offensive line is playing well right now, but that has not been the case all season long. Hoffman and Iheanachor had to take the places of Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook, respectively, which drastically improved the play of the offense. Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media on Thursday, and he was asked about the offensive line, and he seems to believe the unit meets the criteria to be among the best he has ever coached.
"I'll tell you, o-line groups, the best I've been around, are usually really tight both on and off the field," McCarthy said. "I think our group definitely falls into that category, so they spend a tremendous amount of time together. They come in, they workout together on their off days and things like that, so I think that's all a part of being a cohesive offensive line up front. I've talked repeatedly about the importance of it, just from a starter standpoint, the five guys playing as much together, how important it is for on the field success, but yeah, it's a very close group."
McCarthy has coached some great offensive lines from his time with the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys, so this is high praise from a very experienced head coach. He isn't saying this current version of the offensive line is one of the best he has coached, but he is saying that the group fits the criteria. If development continues, who knows how good this starting five could be.
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Steelers' Mike McCarthy before a game in Ohio against the Cleveland Browns during the 2026 season.
The Steelers offensive line has performed really well over the last three weeks, which lines up with when Hoffman and Iheanachor were inserted into the starting lineup. Iheanachor was a raw prospect coming into the NFL, but he has looked great through three starts. Hopefully he continues to play the way he has and the development continues. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers seems comfortable behind the current version of the group, which is arguably the most important thing for the offense.
Steelers' Offensive Line Has Given Team A Boost
The production from the offense over the last three weeks has been great for the most part. Rodgers is comfortable and is throwing the ball well when his receivers are able to get open, and the running game has also transformed into something dangerous. Jaylen Warren is on what is probably the best stretch of games in his career, and the offensive line has been able to clear some massive holes for the running back. A player like Darnell Washington helps with that, but the offensive line's improvement is hard to ignore.
It is safe to say that the offensive line is the engine that makes this offense go. The unit is critical to the team's success. How do you think they have performed? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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