Following the trade of former first-round pick Broderick Jones, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a critical crossroads at offensive tackle. On a recent episode of his “Locked on Steelers” podcast, host Christopher Carter detailed how the roster shuffle has forced the franchise to fast-track rookie right tackle Max Iheanachor into a starting role faster than initially planned.
With Jones out of the picture, the right tackle competition has boiled down to Iheanachor and veteran backup Dylan Cook. While Cook filled in admirably late last season, Carter pointed out that his preseason performance highlighted clear limitations.
"With the trading away of Broderick Jones, it puts it really just between him and Dylan Cook at the offensive tackle
position," Carter explained. "I think right now the Steelers are doing their best to try to get Max Iheanachor ready right away."
Despite some initial rawness and early struggles in preseason action, Iheanachor possesses elite athleticism and footwork tailored for Pittsburgh’s evolving offensive line identity. Carter noted that the team is shifting away from purely power-based blocking toward a more agile, movement-oriented front, a scheme where Iheanachor naturally fits.
"This is going to be an offensive line that's a bit more nimble, an offensive line that's going to get out in space and win certain spots and let the speed of the offense behind them win a lot more," Carter said. "That's where Max Iheanachor, I think, really comes into play for the Steelers because this guy is athletic."
To accelerate his development, the Steelers are putting the rookie through a trial by fire in practice against Pittsburgh's top-tier edge rushers.
"They need to push him. They have to push him," Carter emphasized. "Whenever they get a chance to put the pads on and get physical in practice, go up against T.J. Watt, go up against Alex Highsmith, go up against Nick Herbig."
If Iheanachor can refine his hand placement to match his footwork, Pittsburgh may quickly secure its right tackle of the future.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Why the Steelers are forced to push Max Iheanachor into action
