There’s been plenty of chatter about the Pittsburgh Steelers shaking up their offensive line before Week 2 against the Patriots, but the move that makes the most sense isn’t the one most fans are pushing for.
After a Week 1 showing that was solid enough in spots but still left the running game searching for room and the passing game absorbing too much pressure, the immediate reaction has been to look toward the rookies. Max Iheanachor saw the field after Troy Fautanu got banged up briefly, while Gennings Dunker was a healthy scratch.
But the likeliest change, at least based on how the unit looked, appears to be elsewhere.
Spencer Anderson seems to be the one in danger, and Brock Hoffman looks like the player who could take his place.
Anderson, in my view, had the roughest day of anyone up front. Dylan Cook had the lowest lows, but he also flashed some stronger reps.
Anderson never really found that same balance. His PFF grade of 55.2 backs that up.
It’s not a complete collapse, but it also doesn’t come close to being good enough. More than anything, he just looked like the weakest link.
That’s why the answer probably isn’t to rush Iheanachor into a bigger role just yet. Fans may want to see the rookie jump in and replace Cook, but that doesn’t really address the biggest problem on the line.
That moment may come later. It just doesn’t feel like it has to happen this week.
And if anyone is expecting Dunker to start, that’s probably wishful thinking. Barring injuries, he looks like he’ll need to settle in and wait his turn.
Hoffman, though, is a different case. He didn’t play an offensive snap in Week 1, but he brings veteran experience and has played well with Mike McCarthy before. Long-term rotation along the line is never ideal, but right now it may be the best way to find the right fit.
Anderson has often been the kind of player who gets more out of less, especially as a tackle eligible. Once he’s in more of a traditional guard role, the play hasn’t been as strong. That showed up again in Week 1.
Hoffman isn’t being sold as a savior. But he could bring a little more punch in the run game while offering similar results in pass protection. At the very least, he should get a few drives to see whether the Steelers look better with him in the mix.
This can’t drag on forever. The line needs to settle so it can start growing together.
Early in the season, the Steelers still have time to sort it out. This week, that process should begin with Hoffman getting some starts over Anderson.
In Other News...
Broderick Jones Update Reopens An Ugly Steelers Development Question
Broderick Jones move to Dallas has put his development right back under the microscope, and it is opening an uncomfortable conversation the Steelers know well. The former Pittsburgh first-rounder is competing for the Cowboys starting right tackle job, but offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said Jones has not yet met the teams physical standards, and both Adams and Brian Schottenheimer have said he needs retraining on some techniques as Dallas works to settle him in at one spot.
For Pittsburgh, the interest is obvious because Jones has already pointed to the position changes he went through with the Steelers as a hurdle in his growth. Dallas is trying to give him the kind of stability he did not always have in Pittsburgh, keeping him focused strictly at right tackle instead of bouncing him around. Whether that steady plan finally unlocks him is now one of the more intriguing subplots for a Steelers fan watching from afar. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers May Be Running Out Of Time With Joey Porter Jr
Joey Porter Jr. and the Steelers are opening the season with an uncomfortable contract standoff still hanging over one of the teams young defensive cornerstones. The situation has drifted past the usual background noise of extension talks, especially with Porter leaving a recent practice drill early because of a non-injury-related limitation, a detail that only adds to the sense that things are not exactly settled in Pittsburgh.
The longer the impasse lingers, the more it invites bigger questions about how the Steelers want to handle one of their most recognizable young defenders. Reports have already linked Pittsburgh to the possibility of exploring a trade, and the Detroit Lions are said to have interest, which gives the situation a layer of urgency as the season gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Could Soon Face A Joey Porter Jr. Decision
Joey Porter Jr. has become a name to watch in Pittsburgh as the young cornerback works through a back injury and has not been practicing fully. For a Steelers defense that has leaned on him as part of its long-term plan, any health issue naturally draws attention, especially with the regular season calendar already putting pressure on roster decisions.
Detroits cornerback need after Avonte Maddoxs injury has added another layer to the conversation, with rumors linking the Lions to Porter Jr. Even so, there is still no official word on any move, which leaves Pittsburgh in a familiar spot with a talented defensive back and a decision that could hinge on how the next stretch of practices unfolds. [Read more 🡒]