The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly blowing up their offensive line for their Week 3 clash against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yeah, you heard that right. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the team is set to roll out rookie Max Iheanachor at right tackle and veteran Brock Hoffman at right guard. It’s a huge move, especially so early in the season.
An Entirely New Right Side, Right Now
Rapoport didn’t mince words, stating, “The Steelers will feature an entirely new right side of their O-line this week, with first-round rookie OT Max Iheanachor making his debut as a starter, sources say.” How about that for a trial by fire? A first-round pick getting thrown into the starting lineup for his first real action. And don’t forget Brock Hoffman stepping in at right guard. As Rapoport himself put it, “It all starts up front,” and the Steelers are clearly taking that to heart by completely overhauling their crucial right side.
The Numbers Forced Their Hand
You want to know why this shake-up is happening? The reason is as simple as it is brutal: Pittsburgh’s offensive line has been, frankly, putrid through the first two games of the season. Quarterback Rodgers has been absolutely hammered, getting sacked six times already. That’s tied for the seventh-most in the entire NFL. And it’s not just sacks; those guys up front have given up a whopping 28 pressures in total, with 15 of them coming just last week, according to Pro Football Focus. The ground game? Forget about it. The rushing attack is averaging a paltry 3.4 yards per carry. When your O-line is struggling that bad, it crushes everything else, and it shows: the Steelers’ offense is dead last in the league, scoring a pathetic 11.5 points per game.
So, the stage is set for Week 3 against the Bengals. Can Iheanachor, the first-round rookie, make an immediate impact? Will Hoffman solidify the right guard spot? This isn’t just a personnel change; it’s a desperate attempt to ignite an offense that’s flatlined. All eyes will be on that new-look offensive line to see if they can turn this sinking ship around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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