Steelers Desperately Need Their First-Round Rookie Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers can't go into the regular season with the offensive line they have right now. After two preseason games, one thing is beyond clear - the right tackle position isn't good enough.

Against the Green Bay Packers, concerns about Dylan Cook started to arise, but everyone was hopeful it was simply shaking the rust off. Heading into the team's matchup with the New York Jets, head coach Mike McCarthy said the competition at right tackle was still open, but it still felt like a good game from Cook would end it.

Then, the players took the field at Acrisure Stadium against the New York Jets, and Cook looked even worse.

Cook's strength isn't matching players he's lining up against, and whether it's his footwork, hand placement or both, he's getting beat off the ball on nearly every rep.

Meanwhile, Broderick Jones looks just as bad. Since his return from a neck injury that ended his 2025 campaign, Jones has lost weight and doesn't look as strong as he was a year ago. In more limited reps, Jones was getting beat just as poorly as Cook against the Jets, leaving little hope that he's going to improve the position if he starts.

A Sign of Hope

Max Iheanachor needs to return as soon as possible. The Steelers' first-round pick looked good in a limited time at training camp before suffering a shoulder/neck injury. Since then, he's worked during individual drills a few times, but not consistently.

Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio doesn't know when Iheanachor is going to be back at practice full-time, but offered a sign of hope that it could be soon.

"Sure. He's been working hard, I know, with his rehab, and that's something that we'll evaluate each day and see where he's at, but certainly hopeful to get him back," he said when asked if Iheanachor could potentially return this week.

If Iheanachor can return before Week 1, the Steelers are in a position where it might be a must to start him. Ramping him up from injury could dim that potential for the opener, but as soon as he's ready to play, he should be the starting right tackle.

With a 42-year-old quarterback and an offseason that was spent filling every hole they had, the Steelers now head into the final week of the preseason with one remaining problem. They have the fix, and while the long-term health of Iheanachor is their top priority, they could certainly use him back as soon as possible.