The Pittsburgh Steelers are just over a week away from kicking off their preseason opener. Training camp has brought plenty of developments, position battles, and fresh buzz. However, few storylines carry more weight than the competition along the offensive line. Two starting jobs remain up for grabs, but those battles may not be as open as many fans believe.
The Steelers have worked through an entire offseason of voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp, giving the coaching staff ample time to evaluate the roster heading into training camp. Before Tuesday's practice, Mike McCarthy spoke to the media and referenced the correlation between offensive line continuity and winning, perhaps offering a hint about where things stand.
McCarthy emphasizes continuity with the starting five
reuters.com,2026:newsml_MT1USATODAY29159045:1404052418
McCarthy told reporters that establishing a consistent starting five is important. While he didn't cite a specific number, he pointed to statistics showing the relationship between offensive line starts together and team success. His message was simple: the more games a line plays together, the more wins a team can reasonably expect. That philosophy not only makes sense but also suggests the Steelers may already know who their starting five will be, including the two positions currently being contested.
Based on McCarthy's comments, it's reasonable to assume that unless something unexpected happens during the preseason, the Week 1 offensive line will feature Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, and Dylan Cook from left tackle to right tackle. That's hardly a shocking projection, but it does paint a clearer picture of where the competition stands.
Even so, McCarthy has consistently emphasized versatility and making sure the rest of the offensive line is prepared to step in when needed.
McCarthy and James Campen continue rotating offensive linemen
reuters.com,2026:newsml_MT1USATODAY28143354:1871570659
Part of the reason the Steelers have continued rotating offensive linemen throughout camp is straightforward: player development and roster preparation. Just because Anderson and Cook appear to be the favorites doesn't guarantee they'll hold those jobs. That could change at any point. By rotating players, McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen keep their projected backups ready if they're needed.
The rotations also create valuable development opportunities, especially for a rookie like Max Iheanachor. Still, unless something changes dramatically over the next several weeks, the Steelers' starting offensive line appears largely set. A lot can happen between now and September, but McCarthy has consistently approached roster decisions with a calculated mindset, and his handling of the offensive line appears to be no exception.
