Dylan Cook
Dylan Cook
The Pittsburgh Steelers did plenty of shuffling along their offensive line this offseason. But of all the decisions they’ve made, a big one remains at right tackle between Dylan Cook and Max Iheanachor.
The latter came on strong to start training camp. But an injury sidelined him for the Steelers’ first two preseason games and halted that momentum. Even so, Iheanachor put some good things on tape against Buffalo in the Steelers’ preseason finale while stating his case for the starting job. With Cook doing little to cement himself as the starter in the meantime, beat writer Mike DeFabo doesn’t think he’ll hold onto the spot for long even if named the starter.
“I think it’s still going to be Dylan Cook. And I think then, the next question becomes, for how long? Dylan Cook was a nice story… This preseason he’s not been very good. And when you have a first-round pick like Max Iheanachor, it’s sooner than later you want to put them in the starting lineup. And I think it’s going to be sooner than later,” DeFabo said Monday on 93.7 The Fan. “I think Week 2, or Week 3.”
The Steelers haven’t yet named their Week 1 starter at the position. That decision is may come as soon as Monday. DeFabo thinks there’s a good chance it will be Cook, which makes sense. Although it’s not a large sample size, he does have starting experience from the end of the 2025 season. And due to Iheanachor’s injury, he’s had more of a chance to establish some chemistry with his teammates.
But he had multiple chances to nail down the starting role with Max Iheanachor out, and couldn’t do it. He looked a bit shaky against Green Bay and the New York Jets and spent a lot of time at left tackle against Buffalo.
Iheanachor did have some rough moments as well, especially early. He got beat on one of his earlier snaps after losing a rep with his hands, but slowly started to hold his own in pass protection. His run blocking, meanwhile, was very consistent. And his mobility was on full display, clearing the way for Eli Heidenreich on this touchdown run.
ELI TD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #Steelers pic.twitter.com/8ZNaZ2OkOG
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 28, 2026
Based on the Steelers giving Cook left tackle reps against Buffalo, it would seem they view him as a swing tackle. If that’s the case, it shouldn’t be too long before Pittsburgh wants to try Max Iheanachor out. He’s got more growing to do, but has plenty of starting experience in the Big 12 and has had plenty of bright moments this summer. Even if he’s not the starter out of the gate, DeFabo thinks he could step into that role in the next couple of weeks.