Steelers weighing Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor at right tackle for Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers have almost everything in place for Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. However, one notable question remains along the offensive line.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that the Steelers have not yet settled on their starting right tackle, with Dylan Cook and rookie Max Iheanachor still factoring into the decision. When asked directly if he knew who would start at right tackle, McCarthy replied, “Not yet, working through it.”

Cook, however, appears to have the early advantage as the Steelers begin installing their game plan for Atlanta.

“Dylan has been taking most of the reps at right tackle,” McCarthy said. “Ideally, you want to have your first five guys working together as much as possible. So, we’re just still trying to work Max in there, but we’re off to a good start.”

Availability could give Cook an early edge

Iheanachor’s availability throughout the preseason has complicated Pittsburgh’s decision. The rookie missed two preseason games due to injury, costing him valuable opportunities at a position where continuity is especially important. McCarthy didn’t hide how much that missed time matters as the Steelers prepare for their first meaningful game.

“That’s availability and accountability,” McCarthy said. “That’s the most important part of this, and being available every single day is huge, especially if you’re a rookie, a first-time player.”

That doesn’t mean McCarthy is down on Iheanachor’s ability. Quite the opposite.

“There’s so much to love about Max just in the time that he’s been out there,” McCarthy continued. “It’s impressive. Make no doubt about that, he can play, but he hasn’t played.”

Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio echoed McCarthy’s concerns about Iheanachor’s missed time, noting that getting the rookie back on the field is about more than simply being physically healthy.

“He just needs the reps, the mental reps, the communication, hearing the checks and the audibles,” Angelichio said. “You never can put a price on that and getting those real reps.”

Angelichio added that the Steelers are pleased with Iheanachor’s progress, but contrasted his situation with Cook, who he said has been “steady over there for us all training camp.”

That final distinction may ultimately be the biggest factor in Pittsburgh’s Week 1 decision. The Steelers aren’t evaluating Iheanachor solely on what he could become. They’re preparing to face an Atlanta defense that will undoubtedly search for favorable matchups against an offensive line still attempting to settle on its starting five.

“This is pro football. This is Week 1,” McCarthy said. “They’re looking at their matchup opportunities just like we’re looking at them. Those things factor in how you set a game plan.”

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Steelers want continuity up front

Pittsburgh’s situation at right tackle stands out because McCarthy otherwise sounded pleased with where his team is entering the regular season. The Steelers used training camp and the preseason to develop their new schemes before shifting toward opponent-specific preparation.

Now, with Atlanta coming to Pittsburgh, the emphasis has changed from evaluating the roster to figuring out which players give the Steelers their best chance to win. McCarthy admitted that ideally the offensive line would already be settled.

“Your offensive line to be to this point in the journey and you’re still trying to lock in at the first five,” McCarthy said, before adding, “I feel really good about Dylan.”

Cook receiving the majority of the right tackle snaps becomes even more significant with McCarthy emphasizing the importance of having the same five offensive linemen practicing together. The Steelers still have a full week of preparation before kickoff, giving Iheanachor an opportunity to close the gap.

McCarthy indicated Pittsburgh will use the upcoming practices to settle several personnel combinations, with Wednesday and Thursday appearing particularly important. For now, though, Cook is getting most of the work, and his consistency throughout training camp could give him the advantage when Pittsburgh settles on its starting five for Sunday.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the competition ends with Week 1. Angelichio said the Steelers plan to “continue to push both guys and see where it goes,” while emphasizing the need to keep getting Iheanachor more comfortable within the offense.

That makes the immediate question less about whether Iheanachor can eventually win the job and more about whether he can make up enough ground this week to do so against Atlanta. Cook has the advantage of the reps Pittsburgh wants from a starting offensive line, while Iheanachor still has several practices to change the equation.