Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick just got a massive shout-out from Pro Football Focus, with analyst Bradley Locklear naming him to the 2026 NFL All-Breakout Team. This isn’t just some random prediction either; Locklear sees the third-year guard taking a “significant step forward” this season, and the numbers absolutely back it up.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: McCormick’s Surge Was Real
You gotta love it when the data backs up the hype, right? McCormick’s journey has been pretty wild, going from an “up-and-down” rookie year that left some questions, to showing “considerable growth” in his sophomore campaign. That’s the kind of bounce-back you love to see! His PFF overall grade jumped from a 57.7 as a rookie to a 72.9 in his second season. That’s a huge jump for any offensive lineman, let alone a guy still finding his footing.
But here’s the kicker, and this is what really gets you hyped: most of that insane improvement dropped in the *second half* of the season. From Week 10 onwards, McCormick wasn’t just good, he was legitimately elite. He ranked as the 10th-best guard in the entire league by overall grade during that stretch, hitting a ridiculous 79.2 mark. And his pass protection? An 81.0 PFF pass-blocking grade. We’re talking about a guy who established himself as one of the most reliable pass protectors out there when it mattered most, powering that late-season success. That’s the kind of surge that tells you a player is figuring things out and getting ready to explode.
What’s Next For Pittsburgh’s Revamped O-Line?
So, what does this mean for the Steelers heading into the season? McCormick is expected to be locked in as Pittsburgh’s starting left guard for the upcoming year, and that 79.2 late-season grade is setting him up for an even bigger leap in 2026. Locklear noted that while his pass protection is already stellar and a huge asset, there’s still “room to grow in the run game and in playing more steadily” before he hits that absolute upper tier of NFL guards. But the foundation is absolutely there, and the progress is undeniable.
With Mike McCarthy taking over as head coach and reportedly putting a huge emphasis on protecting veteran QB Aaron Rodgers, having McCormick continue his development is crucial. Pittsburgh has poured a ton of investment into young talent on that offensive line over the past several drafts, and McCormick looks like he could be the next massive payoff. His work in pass protection alone could put him in “improved standing” under McCarthy’s new system, which is absolutely massive for a team looking to give Rodgers all the time he needs to do his thing.
If McCormick can carry that late-season momentum and fire into 2026, we could honestly be looking at one of the league’s true breakout offensive linemen. Steelers fans better be ready for this guy to go off, because it looks like their O-line is about to hit a whole new gear and become a serious force.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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