As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up for their regular-season opener, head coach Mike McCarthy delivered a glowing overall health report during his Week 1 press conference. That came along with an intriguing update on a key positional battle.
Reporting from the facility, beat reporter Christopher Carter captured
McCarthy’s initial comments regarding the roster’s overall physical readiness ahead of kickoff."Mike McCarthy for the week 1 #Steelers presser: 'We're healthy. I don't really expect anyone to have a hard time getting ready.' Also says the #Steelers don't know who their starting right tackle is. Door still open for Max Iheanachor," shared Carter on X.
Mike McCarthy for the week 1 #Steelers presser: "We're healthy. I don't really expect anyone
to have a hard time getting ready." Also says the #Steelers don't know who their starting right tackle is. Door still open for Max Iheanachor.
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) September 7, 2026
McCarthy’s encouraging words indicate that Pittsburgh is entering the opening slate in ideal physical condition, avoiding the early-season injury bugs that frequently hamper installation and game planning. With nearly the entire roster on track to be fully available, the coaching staff can execute its game plan without compensating for high-profile absences.
However, the dominant storyline along the offensive line remains the unsolved competition at right tackle. While rookie blocker Max Iheanachor seemed to be firmly in position to start, McCarthy acknowledged that missed reps from earlier in the summer continue to complicate the evaluation process.
Carter followed up on the head coach’s additional context regarding the rookie's current status.
"Mike McCarthy followed up on Max Iheanachor's chances of playing by noting his injury factors into the decision as he's still had to make up for lost time with him missing time during training camp. #Steelers," posted Carter in a second tweet.
Mike McCarthy followed up on Max Iheanachor's chances of playing by noting his injury factors into the decision as he's still had to make up for lost time with him missing time during training camp. #Steelers https://t.co/b9xSbXm1pu
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) September 7, 2026
While Iheanachor's upside makes him a compelling option upfront, missing critical training camp reps creates a steep learning curve heading into live action. The coaching staff must weigh his natural talent against the mental processing and physical conditioning needed to start immediately.
Whether Pittsburgh hands the primary job to the rookie or leans on a veteran option early, settling the right tackle spot will be vital for protecting the pocket and establishing physical control from drive one.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: McCarthy shares health update, addresses Steelers' open RT spot
