The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2026 offseason with some big decisions looming along the offensive line-none more pressing than what to do at left tackle.
Broderick Jones, the former first-round pick expected to anchor the blind side, has yet to fully cement himself as a long-term answer. In 11 games this past season, Jones allowed six sacks and 23 pressures-numbers that raise eyebrows, especially when paired with inconsistent tape and a season-ending neck surgery. At just 25 years old, there's still time for him to grow, but the Steelers may not be in a position to wait.
Enter Rasheed Walker.
The Green Bay Packers’ left tackle is set to hit free agency, and he’s emerging as one of the most intriguing potential targets for Pittsburgh. Over the past three seasons, Walker has quietly developed into a reliable pass protector, earning a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade north of 69.0 each year.
He’s especially sharp in quick-game concepts, posting an 84.4 grade on three-step drops-good for sixth among all qualifying tackles in that span. That kind of efficiency in pass sets could be exactly what the Steelers need to stabilize the edge and buy time for whoever lines up under center in 2026.
Pittsburgh has the financial flexibility to make a splash. With nearly $45 million in projected cap space this offseason, they’re in a rare position to invest heavily in the offensive line. And if they choose to go that route, Walker makes a lot of sense.
While not a perfect player-his run-blocking remains a work in progress-Walker still graded out better than Jones in that department last season (55.4 vs. 50.6).
And perhaps most importantly, he’s been durable, suiting up for all 17 games in each of the last three seasons. In a league where availability is often as valuable as ability, that matters.
Statistically, Walker surrendered five sacks and 34 pressures in 2025 while earning a 70.0 pass-blocking grade-11 points higher than Jones. Those aren’t elite numbers, but they’re solid, especially when you consider the market.
With offensive line talent at a premium, Walker’s projected four-year, $81 million price tag might not just be realistic-it could end up being a bargain. Just look at what Tennessee paid for Dan Moore, a player with a less consistent résumé.
Of course, Green Bay may want to keep Walker around, but their cap situation is tight, and with 2023 first-rounder Jordan Morgan waiting in the wings, the Packers could opt to move on.
For the Steelers, this is about more than replacing a struggling young tackle-it’s about protecting the quarterback, stabilizing an offense in flux, and making a long-term investment in the trenches. Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or another signal-caller under center, Pittsburgh can’t afford to gamble on inconsistent protection. If they’re ready to move on from Jones-or even just push him to earn his spot-Rasheed Walker could be the upgrade they’ve been waiting for.