Steelers' Dylan Cook Under Heavy Pressure to Hold Off Competition at Training Camp

In roughly a month, the Pittsburgh Steelers will report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for training camp. New head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff will begin their quest for wins as the Pittsburgh native looks to deliver for his hometown team. Training camp doesn't just bring out the heat of competition, it also turns up the pressure. A few veterans will have to fight for their roster spots. However, one player in particular faces more pressure than the rest, despite holding a relatively secure spot on the roster.

Dylan Cook stepped in last season when Broderick Jones went down with a season-ending injury. Despite never having played a professional regular-season snap before that moment, Cook played well. Because Jones' return timetable remains unclear, Cook is in line to start. However, the Steelers drafted Max Iheanachor in the first round, and he's coming along quickly. It would also be shocking if the Steelers pursued trade or free-agency options at the position. The pressure is on Cook to secure his big opportunity.

Cook Will Face Big Pressure at Steelers Training Camp

Cook has praised his fellow competitor, calling Iheanachor an ultra-athletic offensive tackle who learns quickly. Cook is doing all the right things as a teammate. Now, at training camp, he and Iheanachor will push each other to perform. Cook played primarily right tackle coming out of Montana, but he handled left tackle at a solid level while filling in for Jones. That flexibility gives him a leg up for now.

Cook must not only compete with Iheanachor, he'll also need to perform well enough to keep the Steelers from bringing in outside competition. A few options remain on the free-agent market, though none are elite. Experienced veterans like Taylor Decker or Cam Robinson could land in Pittsburgh under the right terms, but right now, both are likely waiting to see what starting opportunities arise elsewhere.

Despite that pressure, Cook has good reason to believe he can win a starting offensive tackle job.

Cook's Team Should Believe in Him

Cook entered the league in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. After spending the 2022 season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad, he joined the Steelers in 2023. From there, he kept working on his game while spending most of his tenure on Pittsburgh's practice squad. When his number was called in 2025, he delivered in a big way.

Across 348 offensive snaps logged, Cook allowed an outstanding 6.9% pressure rate and 0.6% sack rate. Though his wild-card performance was a tough one, for the entire offensive line, his regular season was extremely promising. Teammates praised him and believed in him last year. If there's reason for optimism in a high-pressure situation like this, Cook and the Steelers have it.