A former NFL center just dropped a bomb on the Pittsburgh Steelers, straight up saying their revamped offensive line is gonna “take a step back” this season. That’s A.Q. Shipley, a guy who played 12 seasons in the league, and he isn’t pulling any punches about Pittsburgh’s O-line adapting to head coach Mike McCarthy’s new system. Shipley joined The Pat McAfee Show and flat out said, “I’m concerned about the Steelers offensive line. I think they’re going to take a step back.” If a seasoned veteran is this worried, Pittsburgh fans should be paying serious attention right now.
The Scheme Switch-Up That Could Rock The Boat
Shipley’s concerns go way deeper than just individual talent. He’s pointing fingers at the massive schematic shift from former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system to McCarthy’s. It’s a total philosophical flip. Smith was all about that wide-zone scheme, building an O-line to thrive in running lanes. But now? McCarthy is running the show, calling plays, and bringing in a much more pro-style, downhill, gap-scheme approach that’s all about power and physicality up front. Shipley summed it up perfectly: “Scheme and fit are everything.” For a young offensive line that was just starting to gel in Smith’s system, this change is a huge ask. They were built for one thing, and now they gotta completely re-learn how to move in a totally different, more physical style of play.
New Faces, New Pressure Cooker
The Steelers’ O-line isn’t just dealing with a new playbook, they’re practically a whole new unit. Zach Frazier is still holding it down at center, a solid anchor who’s already made a name for himself as one of the league’s better young guys. But around him? It’s a complete overhaul. Troy Fautanu is stepping in at left tackle, Mason McCormick is at left guard, and rookie Max Iheanachor is in the mix on the right side, though Dylan Cook is penciled in to start at right tackle. Oh, and they traded former first-round pick Broderick Jones to Dallas, which really changes the whole vibe. This crew has youth and athleticism for days, no doubt, but that also means a ton of responsibility in a system they’re totally new to. Shipley thinks this transition could expose them, especially if they can’t generate the necessary movement in this new power-focused scheme. He observed, “I think they struggled handling that a little bit.”
So, while there’s some optimism floating around because the Steelers have invested serious draft capital in guys like Frazier and Fautanu, Shipley’s pessimism is a major red flag. This offensive line is the biggest question mark hanging over Pittsburgh as they head into McCarthy’s first full season. They gotta figure out this identity crisis up front, fast, or it could be a long season for the Steel City.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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