The Pittsburgh Steelers have invested heavily in the offensive line the past two years in the NFL Draft, and you could tell they were investing in what they felt was one of the most important aspects of offensive success. In 2023 they traded up in Round 1 to select Broderick Jones out of the University of Georgia, and in 2024 they took Troy Fautanu out of Washington in Round 1, Zach Frazier out of West Virginia in Round 2 and Mason McCormick out of South Dakota State in Round 4.

When you look at those investments you understood our previous report in the early stages of training camp how the team was going to take an outside-the-box approach to playing rookies early. Anyone who has followed the team closely knows playing rookies immediately is not their modus operandi (MO); however, it was obvious the team would lean on these rookies not out of necessity, but because of their talent level entering the NFL.

Early reports out of camp were the Steelers’ plan for Fautanu at right tackle were him to start on that side of the line in Week 1.

Then he got hurt, spraining his MCL in the Week 1 preseason game.

Even after the injuries, there were reports circulating the Steelers would still start Fautanu if he could return to the lineup in enough time. Nonetheless, Fautanu was sidelined for the rest of the preseason and wasn’t able to return to practice until the lead up to Week 1. Well, after talking to our source inside the Steelers organization, the team is ready to turn the right tackle reigns over to Fautanu in Week 2.

That’s right, we are hearing Fautanu will get his first NFL start vs. the Broncos.

While we don’t know the rest of the Steelers’ plan along the offensive line, the ripple effect of this move will be something to watch. Mainly, what are they planning on doing at the left tackle position? More specifically, what is the plan with Broderick Jones?

That remains unknown, but after Dan Moore Jr.’s solid Week 1 game, it shouldn’t shock fans if the Steelers turn to Moore and Fautanu be the team’s book end tackles vs. the Broncos. If that were the case, it would mean Jones is the odd man out, and likely the swing tackle if someone were to get injured.

Again, the Steelers could have a plan in his instance.

Most assumed Jones’ elbow isn’t right and needs some time to rest. If he were to be given a couple weeks off, it could not only give him a chance to recover, but also give him valuable repetitions in practice at left tackle to get reacclimated to that side of the line. Something he was supposed to receive this preseason, but the Fautanu injury changed everything.

We could talk about scenarios, but we’ll find out soon enough what is going to happen with the Steelers tackle situation when the Steelers and Broncos go head-to-head at 4:25pm EST Sunday.

To hear more about this, check out the Steelers Source podcast in the player below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Denver Broncos in Week 2.