The Pittsburgh Steelers are shaking things up on their offensive line, big time, with veteran offensive tackle Charlie Heck reportedly in for a tryout on Tuesday. This isn’t just some casual look-see, folks; it signals the Steelers are serious about finding the right pieces up front as they continue to evaluate their depth. Heck, a former fourth-round pick from North Carolina by the Houston Texans, is definitely an intriguing option for a team looking to solidify its trenches.
Heck Brings Veteran Presence After Busy Offseason
We’re talking about a 28-year-old tackle in Charlie Heck who has some real NFL mileage. He spent the 2026 preseason with the Miami Dolphins before hitting the open market, and now Pittsburgh is checking him out. Heck originally entered the league as a fourth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. This dude is a big body too, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 310 pounds, exactly what you want anchoring your line.
His resume boasts 51 regular-season games played during his NFL career, with an impressive 27 starts. That kind of experience, primarily at offensive tackle, makes him a prime veteran candidate. For the Steelers, who are clearly on the hunt for immediate help and tested talent, Heck could be exactly what they need as they sort out their offensive line picture. This isn’t just about adding bodies; it’s about adding a player who has seen real NFL action.
New System, New Emphasis: Deculus Also Gets a Look
But Heck isn’t the only guy the Steelers had in for a tryout. According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, Pittsburgh also hosted tackle Austin Deculus for a look. Deculus, a 2022 sixth-round pick by Houston, has appeared in 26 career games himself, including six starts. So, we’ve got two former Texans tackles with some NFL experience getting serious consideration in Pittsburgh. It definitely tells you where their focus is right now.
This intense evaluation of veteran tackles makes total sense because the Steelers have already made “significant changes” up front this offseason. New head coach Mike McCarthy is installing a completely different offensive system, a move that’s got everyone watching. Pittsburgh is shifting away from Arthur Smith’s wide-zone approach, which we all know can be tricky, to McCarthy’s more traditional pro-style, gap-oriented scheme. That’s a huge strategic pivot, and it puts a massive emphasis on finding players who fit this new system like a glove. These tryouts for Heck and Deculus don’t guarantee they’ll be signed, but man, does it ever scream that the Steelers are still actively examining every available veteran option at tackle as they build out McCarthy’s new vision. They’re clearly not messing around.
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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