PITTSBURGH – The Steelers’ top 2026 draft pick is making his first NFL start.
Max Iheanachor was introduced as the team's starting right tackle, replacing Dylan Cook, for its Week 3 matchup against the Bengals on Sept. 27 at Acrisure Stadium.
The Arizona State product joins the lineup after struggles for the offensive line across the first two weeks of the season. The running game has failed to build momentum. And last week, 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times and fumbled twice in the face of heavy pressure from the New England Patriots.
First-year coach Mike McCarthy said earlier in the week that he wanted to build cohesion with the unit
by maximizing the amount of reps the starting group takes together.
“No excuses, but they need continuity, they need reps, they need consistency,” he told reporters.
Starting Iheanachor now, then, seems to signal that the team is willing to live with any short-term growing pains to establish him as part of its core group moving forward. Iheanachor, who was born in Nigeria, is considered a raw prospect by scouts, given that he did not pick up the sport until college.
In another notable change for the group, veteran Brock Hoffman will replace Spencer Anderson at right guard. Hoffman was signed to a one-year deal in March. Anderson is a former seventh-round draft pick who has provided solid depth in recent years. Hoffman and Iheanachor have worked together frequently, so their appearance together makes sense in context of McCarthy's desire for continuity.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers shuffle struggling offensive line, give top draft pick first start
