Mike McCarthy ‘Not Yet' Declaring Steelers' Week 1 Starting Right Tackle

One of the only starting positions on the Pittsburgh Steelers up for grabs entering training camp was at right tackle, and it remains that way just days before the start of the regular season. Mike McCarthy was non-committal when asked if Max Iheanachor or Dylan Cook will receive the Week 1 start on Sunday. 'Not yet,' McCarthy said Monday. 'Working through it.' Coach McCarthy on injury updates. @PNCBank 📺: #ATLvsPIT 9/13 at 1:00 PM on FOX pic.twitter.com/tu9J1k035P — Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2026 Iheanachor will eventually start as a first-round rookie, but the coaches need to assess if he can play assignment-sound football to keep 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers upright and healthy. Missing time throughout training camp and the preseason did not help his case. On the other hand, former undrafted free agent Dylan Cook didn't play well enough in the preseason to take advantage of Iheanachor's absence and seize the starting role. He has been running with the starters to open the week of practice, but McCarthy said they would also mix Iheanachor in. 'Dylan's been taking most of the reps at right tackle,' McCarthy said. 'Ideally you want to have your first five guys working together as much as possible. So, we're just trying to work Max in there, but we're off to a good start.' Other than at times during the first two padded practices, Cook has been working ahead of Iheanachor. The preference is for Iheanachor to start, but he has to prove he's ready to handle 100 percent of the offensive snaps after missing nearly three weeks and two preseason games worth of important reps. McCarthy explained the potential delay for Iheanachor cracking the starting lineup. 'I mean, he's an injured player,' McCarthy said. 'Availability and accountability, that's the most important part of this. Being available every single day is huge, especially if you're a rookie…There's so much to love about Max just in the time that he's been out there. It's impressive. Make no doubt about that. He can play, but he hasn't played.' Within the first 10 snaps of his preseason debut, Iheanachor lunged at a pass rusher and allowed a sack. He settled in as the game went along, but that's a mistake he can't make in the regular season when every snap matters. An ill-timed sack can be the difference between a win and a loss, and those add up when it comes time to qualify for the playoffs. Not to mention an injury to Rodgers would be the fastest way to tank the Steelers' season. They clearly want Iheanachor to win this job eventually. The question is whether 'eventually' comes Sunday or whether Cook gets the nod until the rookie proves he can be trusted to protect Rodgers. The fact that they haven't named a starter means there is still a chance for Iheanachor.