With injury concerns surrounding fourth-year left tackle Broderick Jones and rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor playing exclusively at right tackle in college, the belief coming into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Organized Team Activities was that third-year offensive tackle Troy Fautanu would move from right to left tackle.
On the first day of OTAs Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side, Fautanu lined up at left tackle, the position he played in college, as expected.
It wasn’t expected that guard Mason McCormick would be making the move with him.
McCormick lined up at left guard Monday, moving back to the position he played at South Dakota State. While where Fautanu plays in 2026 is up in the air, as he told reporters Monday, having McCormick next to him is exactly what he wants.
“I wouldn’t wanna play next to anyone else,” Fautanu said of McCormick, according to a tweet from the Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski.
Steelers OT Troy Fautanu on G Mason McCormick: "I wouldn't wanna play next to anyone else."
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 18, 2026
Together, the two formed a solid right side of the Steelers’ offensive line last season, creating a strong rushing attack when run behind. They also had some fun viral moments last season, too, especially in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions.
Last season the two combined to play 1,088 snaps, not missing a single snap during the season, including the playoffs. Though Fautanu missed most of his rookie season with a knee injury, the two have established a strong relationship as part of the same draft class.
Their chemistry is strong on the field. It’s strong off the field, too. So, it makes sense that the Steelers are doing all they can to keep the combination together, even if it’s a bit eye-opening to seem them flip to the left side of the offensive line to open OTAs.
It won’t be a huge ask for either of them, considering they played left tackle and left guard in college. Having them next to each other should help with the transition, too, should the Steelers ultimately make that decision in an attempt to put their best offensive line combination on the field.
Recommended for you