Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t draft Troy Fautanu to simply be another offensive lineman. They drafted him to become the foundation of their offensive front for years to come. That vision has yet to fully materialize, but the opportunity is finally here.
After injuries limited the first season of his NFL career, Fautanu enters the 2026 season with a year of starting experience under his belt and expected to take on one of the biggest roles of any player on Pittsburgh’s roster. With the Steelers continuing to build their offense around a young offensive line, the former first-round pick is expected to be a centerpiece of that group.
Few players have dealt with a more frustrating start to their professional careers. A knee injury suffered during his rookie season kept him from gaining valuable experience, delaying the development Pittsburgh envisioned when they selected him with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
When healthy, however, Fautanu has shown exactly why the Steelers invested so heavily in him. His athleticism, balance and versatility have consistently stood out. Whether lining up at left or right tackle, Fautanu has the movement skills to mirror pass rushers while also possessing the physicality Pittsburgh wants in the running game. Those traits have reinforced the belief that he can develop into one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles.
The Steelers have spent multiple offseasons rebuilding their offensive line through the draft, but Fautanu remains the player with arguably the highest ceiling of the entire group.
With Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, and Broderick Jones (when healthy) competing for the opposite tackle spot, and Mason McCormick, and Zach Frazier providing stability inside, Pittsburgh believes its offensive line finally has the pieces to become one of the strengths of the roster. Fautanu’s development will be one of the biggest factors in determining whether that happens.
Fautanu played left tackle at Washington, so it’s not a major adjustment.
“I saw it when he was in college, when he was at left tackle in college,” Steelers offensive line coach James Campen said OTAs. “The thing with him is he just naturally goes over and starts using his left sets and those kinda things. Sometimes as coaches, we take that for granted. And I think, at times, we just say, ‘Well, just go over there and put your left hand down.’ Well, try writing left-handed if you’re right-handed. It’s not as easy as you think. And so the fact that he’s able to do that, and we’re just seeing how it goes over there for right now, but that is a big plus.”
The expectations are no longer based on potential. Entering his third professional season, the Steelers are counting on Fautanu to stay healthy, anchor one side of the offensive line and begin playing like the franchise tackle they believed they were drafting.
If he takes that next step, Pittsburgh’s investment in rebuilding the trenches could finally begin paying dividends.
76 • Troy Fautanu, Offensive Tackle, Washington
**6-foot-4, 317 pounds,...
