Pittsburgh Steelers OL Mason McCormick has an opportunity to start out 14 video games this 12 months if every thing goes based on plan. Nicely, if every thing goes based on Plan D, anyway. Plan A was Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels, with Plan B turning into Spencer Anderson filling in. Plan C noticed McCormick move Anderson as the first backup, however with James Daniels executed for the 12 months, we’re on to Plan D.
A lot for Mason McCormick being a luxurious draft choose. The Steelers drafted him with a watch towards free company in 2025, with Daniels and Nate Herbig each scheduled to hit unrestricted free company. They mentioned drafting McCormick by means of that lens regardless of drafting linemen already within the first two rounds.
Nicely, he’s now the third rookie lineman to start out, though solely two stay. C Zach Frazier has began for the reason that season opener, T Troy Fautanu rising in Week 2. Sadly, he lasted one recreation earlier than struggling probably a season-ending damage. With Daniels becoming a member of him, McCormick now has the prospect to take over.
The Steelers started getting ready for the longer term by resting Isaac Seumalo usually in coaching camp. That allowed each Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick to take loads of high quality first-team reps throughout that point. Whereas they initially went with Anderson to fill in for the injured Seumalo, they modified their plan after two video games.
By Week 3, the Steelers started rotating McCormick in with Anderson, after which he began in Week 4. Whereas they deliberate to rotate Anderson in final week, Daniels’ season-ending damage on the opening drive pressured them to pivot.
Regardless of their greatest efforts, the Steelers have had unhealthy well being luck on the offensive line. They’ve already misplaced two starters for the season in Daniels and Fautanu. Nate Herbig, who was competing to start out at middle, can also be misplaced for the 12 months. Reserve Dylan Cook dinner remains to be working his manner again, and Seumalo is simply now as a consequence of return after 4 weeks.
It’s nearly a marvel that Mason McCormick hadn’t needed to play extra already, given the Steelers’ misfortunes. However now he has the chance to cement his place as a starter. If he proves that he can deal with the appropriate guard job for the remainder of this season, it is going to seemingly be his transferring ahead. That’s until they’ve some change of coronary heart and resolve to re-sign Daniels. Or if Daniels’ price ticket takes such successful that his market worth plummets to affordability.
One factor is evident, although, and that’s Mason McCormick has turn into excess of a luxurious. Maybe Spencer Anderson would do exactly superb because the starter at proper guard. However we’re now in for a preview of a possible long-term answer for one beginning job. The Steelers’ complete proper aspect, from middle to sort out, may very well be merchandise of the 2024 draft class for some years.
