The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has been getting significant upgrades over the past two offseasons. In 2023, they brought in Isaac Seumalo, while also drafting Broderick Jones and Spencer Anderson. Then, in 2024, they selected Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. It felt like the plan was finally coming together when you add those upgrades to a new offensive coordinator and two new quarterbacks.
Unfortunately, it hasn't gone smoothly. Nate Herbig, Jones, Fautanu, and Seumalo suffered injuries during the preseason. The rookie center, Frazier, will fill in for Herbig. However, the Seumalo injury has created questions about who will fill in for the month he is expected to miss.
McCormick, a fourth-round pick, was expected to sit behind Seumalo and James Daniels while he acclimated to the pros. However, now he may be thrust into a starting role to fill in for Seumalo.
Recently, on the North Shore Drive Podcast, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporters Christopher Carter and Brian Batko debated who would get the nod. Carter said that he thinks the future of the offensive line might be Anderson and McCormick playing alongside Jones and Fautanu, but Batko said he disagrees with Anderson.
"Spencer Anderson usually is the next man up, but I think it's different preparing somebody to be a versatile backup who maybe has to step in, in game, at any number of spots," said Batko. "I think with a whole week to prepare, getting Mason McCormick in there, essentially cashing in on a pick that a lot of people were surprised you made back in April."
Batko said he was curious about McCormick's selection. He felt like he was a really solid player, but he didn't understand why they were picking him. After all, he was joining a line where he would sit behind solid, "well-compensated, veteran players."
That told him that the Steelers really liked him, and when they found out he was available, they were willing to draft him for a position they didn't seriously need. Batko said they used their last, possibly really good draft pick for a player they didn't obviously require while they still had clear needs on the team. That tells him that the Steelers feel strongly about McCormick's abilities.
"If that's the case, then I'm thinking there's going to be a chance that they go with him Week 1," added Batko. "McCormick's been playing both guard spots. He played left guard in college. I know it's different doing it at the FCS level versus the NFL and all the communicating you have to do. I could be totally wrong, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that going back to the draft, they're enamored with McCormick."
Batko feels it is a tragic situation for Seumalo. Of course, they want him to be healthy, but in the absence of that, they are happy to use this as an excuse to get this draft pick they like so much in the game. This gives the fans their first real shot at seeing what he's got. Carter agrees that McCormick is a "mauler" with much upside.
Do The Steelers Have A Tackle Problem?
It seemed the Steelers had solved their problems at offensive tackle with Jones and Fautanu. However, the injuries and some subpar play from Jones have fans worried that the line isn't as solid as it was thought to be.
The frustration is only compounded by the constant rotation of Jones. Both Jones and Fautanu primarily played left tackle in college. Last season, Jones sat on the bench behind Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor. When the latter was benched, he was sent in at right tackle. Since Moore had maintained that he couldn't play on the right side when Fautanu was drafted, everyone assumed Jones would slide to the left and the rookie would slot in on the right.
The MCL sprain that Fautanu experienced has set this plan back. The question is, for how long? Fautanu has said he is returning to practice, but it is hard to imagine the Steelers throwing a recovering rookie to the wolves in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.
