The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has shown significant improvement midway through the season, rising to No. 9 in Pro Football Focus rankings from No. 21 at the start. Coach Mike Tomlin praised the unit's collective growth, while rookie Troy Fautanu highlighted his standout performance against the Indianapolis Colts. With guard Isaac Seumalo out for the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the team may adjust its jumbo package strategy.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line entered the 2025 season as a major concern for fans, but halfway through, it has become a strength. According to Pro Football Focus, the unit climbed to No. 9 in recent rankings after starting at No. 21. Early struggles included seven sacks allowed in the first two weeks, but since then, only eight sacks have been given up over six games, placing quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the 23rd most-sacked QB in the league.
In the running game, production doubled from 63 yards per game in the first three contests (189 total yards) to 126 yards per game in the next three (378 total yards). Tomlin credited the group's development during his show on YouTube, stating, “We’ve invested a lot of draft capital in assembling particularly the young components of this group. And they’re all getting better with work as individuals and as a collective.” The starting line features two first-round picks, a second-rounder, and a fourth-rounder.
Rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu has been a key contributor in eight starts this season, allowing zero sacks and just two penalties in 466 snaps, per PFF. Last year, a knee injury limited him to one start. Against the Colts last Sunday in Pittsburgh, Fautanu delivered a massive pancake block on All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in pass protection. “It’s an offensive lineman’s dream,” Fautanu said on WMBS Radio’s Sportsline. “In the NFL, it’s always hard to get one of those... I was just kinda hoping that he went inside and he did and that took advantage of the opportunity. But hoping for a lot more of those.” Buckner was injured on the play and placed on injured reserve.
Tomlin added about Fautanu, “He’s just gaining experience. Certainly the talent is there... I think it’s reasonable to expect that collective to continue to pick things up.”
Now, with starting left guard Isaac Seumalo ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers, Spencer Anderson will make his first start of the season at the position. Anderson, with four career starts, has been used in the jumbo package as an extra lineman alongside tight end Darnell Washington to boost the run game. Beat writer Mark Kaboly speculated on potential adjustments, noting Anderson said, “it’s not that big of a deal for anybody to jump out there at all.” Veteran Andrus Peat could fill in at guard if Anderson shifts to jumbo tackle. The Chargers' defensive line, featuring Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh, and Tuli Tuipulotu (seven sacks), presents another challenge.
