The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a significant shake-up on their offensive line, and it looks like Troy Fautanu is at the center of it all. After the team selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, questions immediately arose about how the pieces would fit together. While head coach Mike McCarthy initially confirmed that Iheanachor would stay at tackle, he left the door open for moving Fautanu—potentially to guard. Now, with Iheanachor revealing he's been told he'll play on the right side—the same spot Fautanu has held for two seasons—it's almost certain Fautanu will be switching positions in 2026.
So, what does this mean for the Steelers' front five? It's unlikely Fautanu will slide to guard, especially with left tackle Broderick Jones sidelined by injury and his fifth-year option not picked up. Additionally, the team made it clear that rookie Gennings Dunker was drafted specifically to play guard. That leaves Fautanu as the prime candidate to move to left tackle—a role he's familiar with. During his college career at Washington, Fautanu played across the line and spent most of his time as a left tackle, so this shift shouldn't be a major concern for fans.
Looking ahead, the Steelers' offensive line could shape up like this: Fautanu at left tackle, Spencer Anderson or Brock Hoffman competing at left guard, and Dunker anchoring the right guard spot. With Mike Tomlin no longer at the helm, rookies like Dunker might get starting nods earlier than expected. The bottom line? This move could actually strengthen the line, giving Fautanu a chance to return to his natural position while maximizing the team's talent. Stay tuned to Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest updates, breakdowns, and analysis on this developing story.
