Steelers Legend Hines Ward's Max Iheanachor Endorsement Raises Expectations

One of the Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest long-term projects is first-round pick Max Iheanachor. The athletic offensive tackle possesses tremendous upside, but much of that potential stems from the fact that he only began playing football a few years ago. Even so, it quickly became clear that his rare athleticism could carry him to great heights in the sport. A national analyst and a Steelers legend both believe that potential is real, offering strong endorsements of Iheanachor's future.

Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo listed Iheanachor as one of the best long-term upside selections in this year's draft.

“Max Iheanachor was an unbelievable pre-draft story. The Nigerian native did not begin playing football until going the JUCO route at East Los Angeles College in 2021. Rare size and movement skills allowed Iheanachor to develop into a legitimate left tackle prospect. His path comes with risk, but he has the upside of a franchise blindside protector.”

Iheanachor's limited experience could become the Steelers' biggest advantage

The Steelers may have made one of the boldest first-round investments in franchise history by selecting a player with so little football experience. However, they have successfully bet on raw potential before. The last time Pittsburgh drafted a player with limited experience at his position, it selected T.J. Watt. Watt originally committed to Wisconsin as a tight end before making the switch to outside linebacker. The move paid off in a massive way. He played just one full season at the position before the Steelers selected him with the 30th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

To be clear, Iheanachor is not going to become another Watt. But if there's a blueprint for maximizing elite athletic upside despite limited experience, Watt's career offers an example of what that ceiling can look like. Reaching that level will require more time and development, but Iheanachor's athletic traits give him a legitimate chance to become a special player.

There's also a Steelers legend who believes Iheanachor has the mentality to reach that ceiling.

Hines Ward believes Iheanachor is a true Steelers fit

Hines Ward coached at Arizona State while Iheanachor was there, giving him a firsthand look at the Steelers' first-round pick. During an appearance on the Yinziders podcast, Ward explained why Steelers fans should be excited about Iheanachor.

“Max is just a blue-collar guy,” Ward said. “He hasn’t played football for a very long time, but you see the talent. You see the skill set. A lot of Steelers fans may not know how Max is, but I saw it every day. This kid just puts his head down and just grinds. He has that work ethic in him. He has that Steelers mentality in him. He’s not the flashiest. He’s not gonna be a ‘me’ guy. He’s all about the team.”

Few endorsements resonate with Steelers fans quite like one from Ward. If anyone can identify the qualities that define a Steeler, it's him. For 13 seasons, Ward embodied the franchise's identity. The traits he described are the same ones that earn respect in Pittsburgh and help players succeed on the field.

Iheanachor's upside is undeniable. If he pairs that athletic potential with the work ethic Ward described, the Steelers may have found their long-term answer at offensive tackle.