Steelers' Expected Timeline For First-Round Rookie Max Iheanachor Finally Coming Into Focus

The Pittsburgh Steelers may already have their Week 1 right tackle penciled in, but that does not make the position any less interesting. If anything, the latest read on the situation makes the timeline for rookie tackle Max Iheanachor even more important.

The focus is not really whether Dylan Cook will open training camp as the starter. That part seems to be already clear. The more interesting question is how long Cook can hold off Iheanachor, and what has to happen before the Steelers are comfortable handing a starting job to their 2026 first-round pick.

That is what makes Mark Kaboly's latest comment on 93.7 The Fan worth paying attention to. Fans always want to see a first-round rookie immediately, especially when that rookie plays a premium position. However, Pittsburgh may be looking at this right tackle spot differently.

"The start of training camp right tackle will be Dylan Cook," Kaboly said. "He’ll start it off. I think Dylan Cook will also start the season at right tackle. Talk to me in a month after that, maybe that changes to Iheanachor."

That is not a dismissal of Iheanachor. It is a realistic timeline. Cook has already done enough to earn trust. He has been in the building, has game experience, and gives the Steelers a stable option to begin camp and potentially the regular season. That matters for a team trying to settle in with a reshuffled line and major expectations on offense. Iheanachor, meanwhile, is still the long-term play.

The Steelers did not use a first-round pick on him because they wanted him to sit forever. They drafted him because they believe he can eventually be one of their answers up front. The key word is eventually. There is a difference between being the future starter and being the best option in early September.

That is where the Cook conversation can get misunderstood. If Cook opens camp with the starters, it does not mean Iheanachor has failed. It means the Steelers are trying to avoid forcing a rookie into the lineup before he is ready. Pittsburgh has already seen how complicated offensive line development can get when young tackles are moved around or rushed.

That is why the first month could become the real checkpoint. If Cook plays well early, the Steelers do not have to change anything. That would allow Iheanachor to keep developing behind the scenes while Offensive Line Coach James Campen and the rest of the staff work through his technique, assignments, and comfort level on the right side.

If Cook struggles, then the conversation changes quickly. A month of regular season action would give the Steelers enough evidence to decide whether the rookie is ready to take over. It also gives Iheanachor extra practice time, preseason reps, and a chance to adjust to NFL speed before being asked to handle starting edge rushers every week.

That kind of timeline makes sense. It gives Cook the respect he has earned, but it also keeps the door open for the rookie to eventually win the job.

The Steelers have already been thinking through this exact type of situation. Their offensive line has been one of the biggest roster puzzles of the offseason, and Iheanachor’s development has been viewed as a major part of that process. Pittsburgh has the luxury of not needing to rush him, which could be the best thing for both the player and the offense.

Steelers Could Have A Natural Opening For Iheanachor

The path for Iheanachor may not be about one dramatic training camp takeover. It may be more gradual than that.

The Steelers can let Cook stabilize the spot early, then reassess once the games start revealing what the line actually looks like. That is why Kaboly’s one-month idea is important. It gives fans a timeline without pretending the job is already settled for the entire season.

For now, Cook appears to have the inside track. The interesting part is what happens after that. If Iheanachor develops quickly, stays patient, and proves he can handle the assignment, the Steelers could still have their first-round pick in the lineup sooner than some expect.

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