The Steelers are heading into 2026 in a much stronger spot than they were when 2025 ended, and that upgrade comes with a catch: more real competition for starting jobs.
Pittsburgh looks deeper on both sides of the ball and better built to defend its AFC North title, but that also sets the stage for a training camp with a few true battles. Some spots already have a clear path, like backup quarterback and wide receiver three.
Others are wide open. And at least two veterans could find themselves fighting to hold onto their jobs.
One of the most interesting questions sits on the defensive line, where Keeanu Benton’s grip on a starting role may not be as firm as it once looked. The Steelers and Benton never got an extension done the way some expected, and that alone has raised eyebrows. Behind him, the competition is serious.
Pittsburgh added veteran Sebastian Joseph-Day, a former Super Bowl winner with the Los Angeles Rams who brings the kind of flexibility teams love up front. He can line up at nose tackle or on the end, and he gives the defense a Tyson Alualu-like presence at the line of scrimmage.
But the bigger threat may be second-year player Yahya Black. He has the size and aggression to handle nose tackle in this 3-4 defense, and that matters because Benton’s best work comes as a pass rusher.
The problem is his run defense, which could become a bigger concern for new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
There’s also a fight brewing at right tackle, where Dylan Cook is trying to keep the momentum he built in 2025. When Broderick Jones went down with a neck injury, Cook stepped in and started five games at left tackle, allowing just one sack during that stretch. That kind of steadiness should matter.
But Cook won’t be handed anything. First-round pick Max Iheanachor is in the mix, and while he is still a raw prospect, he showed flashes at Arizona State that make this a legitimate competition. In a perfect setup, Cook would lock down the job and let Iheanachor develop without pressure, giving Pittsburgh a dependable starter for 2026 while the rookie grows into the role the team eventually wants him to fill.
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