The Pittsburgh Steelers tried something very risky with their offensive line under the new coaching staff: they had everyone flip sides so first-round rookie Max Iheanachor could plug-and-play at right tackle when he was deemed ready. It was a disaster at first, but as time went on, the unit started to get stronger. Through five weeks, it's still not a great unit, but it is much better than when Pittsburgh lost back in Week 2. As long as everyone keeps gelling together, the line shouldn't be a problem in the future.
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Steelers' Troy Fautanu with the rest of the offensive line during a matchup with the Green Bay Packers during the 2026 preseason.
That boost in performance has done wonders for the offense, especially the run game. Jaylen Warren has taken the league by storm and is starting to become a household name, with some of that being aided by the fact that he does not get contacted at or behind the line of scrimmage as much as he did in the first two weeks. He is currently on his way to an elite breakout season that could get him paid next time he's due for a contract.
It's looked so easy for Warren and the Steelers, but that might not be the case in Week 6. In the latest edition of Steelers Rewind, team insider Nick Farabaugh detailed the challenges that this offense will have to face against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"This run game that [the Steelers] want to keep going with Jaylen Warren -- Jaylen Warren talked about that -- they're going to have to face run blitzes at a higher clip than they've faced all year," Farabaugh said. "Todd Bowles sends run blitzes and tries to disrupt the timing of your under-center run game and destroy it. They're going to have to be on their Ps and Qs and [be] ready for quick penetration from these linebackers and safeties at the second level."
For an offensive line as young and inexperienced as Pittsburgh's, this will definitely be a tough task to deal with. It doesn't matter that the Buccaneers are 1-4 with an undrafted free agent at quarterback, they will still do everything they can to win and make life hard on the other team. That includes blowing up the gaps in the run game and shutting down any potential threat, no matter who the running back is.
The Buccaneers are second in the NFL in rush yards allowed per game through five weeks. On Thursday Night Football, they faced a respectable Dallas Cowboys run game and allowed just 50 yards on the ground at 3.8 yards per carry. Even for all the deficiencies on this team, the front seven of Tampa Bay is nothing to take lightly, and the Steelers' offensive line better be doing its homework on this frightening unit.
Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (71) blocks Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cedric Johnson (52) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Warren is one of the best running backs at breaking tackles and making something out of nothing, but that won't matter if he keeps getting hit behind the line of scrimmage before he's truly able to get going. The Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week may be an amazing player, but he can't do everything by himself, especially in a road game. The offensive line will have to handle the challenge of the Tampa Bay blitz early and often come Sunday.
Steelers Are Being Forced To Get Bigger To Help Warren
Three wide receivers will miss this contest for Pittsburgh, and the team is not signing any outside players to help out. With the lack of depth at receiver, the Steelers will have to run more multi-tight end sets. Having Darnell Washington on the field for most of the snaps will be a huge boost, as it will open up another gap for Warren to find. Rookie fullback Riley Nowakowski will likely see more time as well, which will help open up the inside gaps.
What do you think about the Steelers' offensive line having to deal with this elite run blitz? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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