The Steelers took a look at Mekhi Becton, but the veteran guard ended up landing in Green Bay instead.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Pittsburgh was among the teams interested in Becton before he signed with the Packers, though the opportunity there made more sense for him.
The need was easy to spot. After Week 2 against the New England Patriots, when the Steelers’ offensive line allowed four sacks, the search for help up front was already underway. Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook both struggled out of the gate, and Anderson also suffered a bone break in his leg against New England.
Pittsburgh responded by turning to Brock Hoffman and first-round pick Max Iheanachor, who stepped in at right guard and right tackle, respectively, for the Week 3 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. The move worked. The Steelers rolled up 411 total yards and beat their AFC North rivals 30-27.
The protection was better, too. Cincinnati finished with two sacks, and ESPN’s Benjamin Solak reported that Aaron Rodgers’ 3.19-second time to throw was his longest in any game for the black and gold so far.
Hoffman and Iheanachor both made quick impressions, and Pittsburgh may have stumbled into a combination that can keep the offense humming. Still, the depth chart remains thin. Rookie guard Gennings Dunker is on the reserve/injured list, and Anderson is still not fully healthy.
Becton was an understandable name to monitor because he was one of the bigger free agents still available and carried some recognition around the league. A first-round pick by the New York Jets in 2020, he has dealt with injuries throughout his career.
Over the past three seasons, he has started 45 games. He was also part of a strong Philadelphia Eagles line in 2024 that helped the team win the Super Bowl that season, though his 2025 stint with the Los Angeles Chargers was rough.
Even with the Steelers looking for interior help, Becton would have been a tough fit to sell as an upgrade over Hoffman, and maybe not even Anderson based on what he showed in Los Angeles last year. Pittsburgh is still likely to add another offensive lineman soon, but Becton was never the answer.
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