PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers have one clear area to keep an eye on as they build toward the future: the interior of the offensive line. With center Zach Frazier and left guard Mason McCormick already in place, two of the three spots are spoken for heading into the 2026 season and beyond.
That still leaves one opening that matters. Spencer Anderson opened the year at the spot, but after two weeks he was bumped by veteran Brock Hoffman. Hoffman has done the job in relief, but the long-term upside isn’t really there for Mike McCarthy’s beloved lineman.
That makes the next NFL Draft cycle worth watching, and several college guards have already started to separate themselves as names the Steelers should have circled for 2027.
The most obvious one is Minnesota’s Greg Johnson. At 6'6", he has the kind of frame that jumps off the screen, and he’s already getting plenty of buzz across the NFL world. He plays with a nasty edge, brings a mean streak, and has the kind of physical tools that make him easy to project as one of the top interior linemen in the class.
Notre Dame’s Knapp is another name rising fast. He’s already in his third season as a starter, and the move from left tackle to left guard has only boosted his stock. He spent his first two years mostly at tackle, where he showed promise, but this season he’s looked even better inside.
That switch appears to suit him. Early in Notre Dame’s 2026 season, Knapp has been one of the most impressive pieces of the offense. The Fighting Irish are running for more than 160 yards per game and averaging 428.4 total yards, according to Sports Reference data.
Then there’s Cincinnati junior Evan Tengesdahl, who brings a different kind of appeal. He’s an interior lineman with the agility and strength to affect both the run game and the pass game.
At 6'3", he’s the smallest of the three, but that hasn’t dulled his value. His physical style stands out, and that kind of tone-setting play would likely fit right in with what the Steelers want up front.
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Aaron Rodgers has also shown a preference for getting Washington involved, and the timing of that could be important as Pittsburgh sorts through its game plan for Sunday. The Colts present a chance for the Steelers to lean on a part of the passing game that has been building, and Washingtons usage is one of the more interesting subplots as the team looks to turn a .500 start into something steadier. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Suddenly Have A Cornerback Problem Nobody Saw Coming
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What makes the situation more awkward is how many moving parts are still unsettled around the rest of the defense. Injuries have already thinned the cornerback mix, and Jalen Ramseys status adds another layer of uncertainty the Steelers cant ignore. For a team that expected to be sorting out roles and matchups, not emergency coverages, the next stretch could reveal whether those recent additions are enough or just the first stopgap in a longer fix. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Already Have A New Quarterback Debate For Life After Rodgers
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Several college quarterbacks are beginning to separate themselves as names worth tracking for Pittsburghs future plans, even this early. CJ Carr, Darian Mensah, Drew Mestemaker and Kamario Taylor all have the kind of current NCAA production that makes them worth circling now, and the Steelers will be watching closely as their evaluations evolve. It is still the kind of conversation built on projection, but for a franchise thinking past the present, the next quarterback debate may already be taking shape. [Read more 🡒]