The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a lot of time and effort this offseason addressing shortcomings on the roster. Wide receiver? Trade for Michael Pittman Jr. and draft Germie Bernard. Cornerback? Sign Jamel Dean and draft Daylen Everette. They even double-dipped at safety by signing Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage Jr.
However, the Steelers still have some trouble spots. NFL.com’s Matt Okada took a look at every AFC team’s roster to find the biggest weak spot. For the Steelers, Okada thinks it’s at right guard.
“The weakest area is probably right guard with Mason McCormick reportedly moving to left guard [to fill] the void left by Isaac Seumalo (signed with Arizona in free agency),” Okada wrote. “It’s probably a race between free-agent addition Brock Hoffman, 2023 seventh-rounder Spencer Anderson, and rookie third-rounder Gennings Dunker. Whoever wins will be tasked with protecting 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, so it’s a particularly crucial hole to plug.”
The Steelers have invested a lot of resources into the offensive line in recent memory, spending multiple first-round picks on offensive tackle. In three out of the last four drafts, the Steelers drafted Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, and Max Iheanachor. Then they’ve drafted C Zach Frazier and the aforementioned Mason McCormick and Gennings Dunker.
However, due to injuries, lackluster play, and letting Seumalo walk, the Steelers are reorganizing their offensive line this offseason. Fautanu and McCormick are making the flip to the left side of the offensive line. New offensive line coach James Campen talked about that transition, citing both players’ college experience playing on the left side of the offensive line.
That means the right guard position is unsettled. Thankfully, as Okada points out, the Steelers do have options at that spot. Here at Steelers Depot, a few of our writers (Ross McCorkle, Jake Brockhoff, and Josh Carney) debated which player will have the most starts at right guard this season.
Spencer Anderson has the most time spent in Pittsburgh, and he started OTAs taking first-team right guard snaps. However, this is a new coaching staff. The only player who has previous experience with head coach Mike McCarthy is Brock Hoffman. Now, long-term, it’s evident that the Steelers want Gennings Dunker to be one of their offensive linemen of the future. But will he figure into the competition for 2026?
This positional battle will be one of the most important ones of the summer on the Steelers’ roster. The offensive line has to be at the top of its game to keep QB Aaron Rodgers upright and the run game flowing. The Steelers need someone to step up and solidify that spot. Rodgers will sleep better at night knowing someone has done so.
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