Insider: Steelers May Make Offensive-Line and Scheme Changes to Spark Struggling Offense

Steelers' offense has struggled through the opening weeks of the 2026 season despite an almost entirely new coaching staff. James Palmer told Steve Smith Sr. on YouTube that "some changes might be coming" up front, pointing to the offensive line as a major factor in how the entire offense operates.

Palmer's takeaway is twofold: the team may alter offensive-line personnel, and it may simplify the offense. He said, "The offensive line plays a factor in how this entire offense operates. I am told some changes might be coming…They might make some changes up front, keep an eye on that." He also described an offensive shift toward smaller weekly volume: "My understanding is they might dumb things down a little bit...Take the volume, make it a little bit smaller in terms of what they're working with each week..."

The Steelers have invested resources in the offensive line in recent years. Some young players showed progress last season but have regressed in 2026. Mike McCarthy has emphasized continuity with that group and noted that frequent training-camp combinations may have contributed to the problems. That suggests McCarthy could keep the current starting five, but the team's early-season performance has put that approach in doubt.

Personnel candidates mentioned in coverage

• Brock Hoffman: Lost the right-guard competition to Spencer Anderson but could get another look after Anderson's rough start to the regular season.
• Max Iheanachor: The rookie first-round pick has been a backup at right tackle but played a snap and remains a likely candidate for increased snaps given his draft status.

Coaching response and scheme changes

McCarthy has publicly discussed cutting the offense's "volume" if it's not clean. After a 20-3 loss to New England he said the team didn't have a great week of practice and implied simplifying the weekly game plan could be necessary. That approach would reduce the number of plays or the complexity of calls so players can execute more reliably.

Other Steelers coverage has suggested broader personnel shifts and questioned offensive identity. Former NFL lineman Mark Schlereth and local beat writers have argued for evaluating personnel, including the quarterback position, if struggles continue. Those takes stress that Pittsburgh's defense remains strong, which increases pressure on the offense to improve.

No specific changes have been announced. Watch for these signals: increased playing time for Hoffman or Iheanachor, changes to the starting five along the line, simplified game plans during practice reports, and McCarthy's postgame comments about volume and execution. Any lineup moves would aim to improve run blocking and pass protection, and any simplification would try to reduce mental errors and assignment breakdowns.

Palmer's report frames the offensive line as the immediate lever Pittsburgh could pull to jump-start an underperforming offense. McCarthy's comments about cutting volume align with that assessment: fewer, cleaner plays and possible personnel experiments to find a functional five up front.