6 Players That Stood Out From Insider's Breakdown of the Steelers Offense

With the Pittsburgh Steelers set to report to Saint Vincent College in just a few weeks, Mike McCarthy's first year as head coach carries plenty of unknowns. It also carries real expectations for a team that won the AFC North last season. McCarthy and his staff usher in an era of change that many Steelers fans have long anticipated. Training camp marks the first step toward finding out who is ready to take a step forward on either side of the ball.

Mike DeFabo of The Athletic recently broke down every player on the Steelers' offensive roster, from quarterback to offensive linemen to wide receivers. Some of his assessments landed as expected; others might draw pushback from fans. Still, six player reviews stand out ahead of training camp. Each of these six players either carries big expectations, is fighting for a job, or will reflect directly on the new coaching staff.

Roman Wilson

"Fans want to look past Wilson and go right to Germie Bernard. But Wilson will clearly be WR3 when camp starts. The question will be how long he can keep it." DeFabo wrote.

Wilson brings raw talent and excellent acceleration off the line of scrimmage. Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith used him mainly as a decoy, often deploying him to run routes that drew coverage away from other options. But when Wilson gets the ball in his hands, he flashes real playmaking ability. He could well hold off rookie Bernard and claim the WR3 spot outright.

Pat Freiermuth

"His usage dropped to a career-low 51 percent of snaps in 2025 after appearing on the field for a career-high 69 percent of offensive snaps (when healthy) in 2024. Jonnu Smith's departure should reopen the door for Freiermuth to cement himself as the Steelers' go-to pass-catching tight end." DeFabo wrote.

DeFabo hits the nail on the head here. The former Penn State product was subject to coaching malpractice by former offensive coordinator Smith. Freiermuth's snap count dropped even after he posted career highs in receptions (65) and touchdowns (7) in 2024, a strange outcome given that production. In a more pass-heavy offense like the one McCarthy runs, Freiermuth should enjoy a big bounce-back year.

Troy Fautanu

"One of the Steelers' most dependable and versatile linemen, Fautanu's transition to left tackle should be relatively smooth considering he started on that side for two seasons at Washington." DeFabo wrote.

Fautanu is arguably the most important player on the Steelers offense not named Aaron Rodgers. His move to left tackle will prove critical, not just in 2026 but for years to come. The good news, as DeFabo notes, is that this isn't unfamiliar territory for him. Fautanu has already been a home-run pick for general manager Omar Khan, and if the Steelers can stabilize the right tackle spot too, they may finally have their offensive line figured out.

Drew Allar

"A QB who has everything you can't teach but also needs considerable refinement is the perfect canvas for McCarthy. Allar will be a good measuring stick of how well McCarthy can develop a QB." DeFabo wrote.

Allar once projected as a first-round pick before a disappointing senior season derailed his draft stock. It's still puzzling why so many draft evaluators over-soured on him: he has a prototype frame, excellent arm talent, and plenty of upside. Penn State's offensive philosophy and underwhelming receiving corps didn't do him many favors. If McCarthy can unlock the player Allar once looked like when receiving first-round projections, he could end up as Khan's greatest draft steal.

Spencer Anderson

"He's proven his versatility and been worth much more than a seventh-round pick. How long can he hang onto the first-team right guard job?" DeFabo wrote.

Anderson's growth stood out as the lone silver lining in the Steelers' 2024 wild-card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He then became a critical piece of the team's jumbo package in 2026. His versatility impresses on its own, but his athleticism sets him apart. He posted a 9.37 Relative Athletic Score, and that ability shows up clearly on tape. Now he has a chance to claim a starting job the Steelers have long needed to fill for the long term.

Dylan Cook

"Once a QB himself, Cook was protecting Rodgers' blindside last year. Now at right tackle, how long can he keep the starting job?" DeFabo wrote.

If Fautanu ranks as the most important non-Rodgers player on the Steelers offense, Cook might rank second. He filled in admirably for Broderick Jones late last season and now returns to his natural right tackle spot, the position he played at Montana. Protecting Rodgers will top McCarthy's priority list, and McCarthy's offense tends to leave tackles on islands more often than not. Cook and the rest of the offensive line will need to outperform their 2025 playoff showing. Otherwise, a brutal first-place schedule could turn into a very long season.