When the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, they will face plenty of doubt. Following a dreadful offensive performance in Week 2, the national outlook has reached one of its lowest points for the black and gold. However, a win Sunday could quickly change that perception.
One area will be under the microscope against this retooled Cincinnati defense: the offensive line.
Mike McCarthy’s staff has reshuffled the group and now faces pressure to find answers. One Steeler could ultimately decide Sunday’s game, and this time, it is a coach.
James Campen has produced some good offensive lines during his career, but the early returns in Pittsburgh have not been promising. He must get this unit performing better, and he must do it quickly. The fate of this week, and potentially the season, could rest in his hands.
Campen Needs to Pull This Offensive Line Together
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There’s no doubt Campen can develop offensive linemen. However, his early return in Pittsburgh has not been strong. The line has struggled to communicate and block effectively through two games.
It all came to a head Sunday when the Patriots delivered several brutal hits on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The communication and effort are collective responsibilities, but Campen ultimately bears responsibility for getting the unit on the same page.
This was a group that looked stable in 2025. It wasn’t perfect, but the offensive line performed well more often than not. Whether the issues stem from position shuffling, schematic changes or both, things simply are not meshing well right now.
Campen needs to be the one to pull this group together. He also needs to be prepared to make changes, and those changes may already be on the horizon.
Steelers May Already Be Preparing to Replace Anderson, Cook
This week, the Steelers worked Brock Hoffman and Max Iheanachor into Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook’s spots. That does not guarantee either change will happen in Week 3, but it is a clear sign the team wants to evaluate its options at both positions.
The offensive line needs stability and consistent performances, and Iheanachor and Hoffman could provide that.
Cook hasn’t been outright awful, but he has had some rough-looking reps on film. Anderson, meanwhile, has been particularly difficult to watch. He did not have a strong Week 1 and struggled badly in Week 2, making it understandable why he could be feeling pressure to perform.
Cook’s situation may have more to do with the Steelers wanting to see Iheanachor in action. The 2026 first-round pick has shown plenty of promise to this point.
Can Campen get this unit back on track in Week 3?
