When your team doesn't have a defined calling card, the last thing it can afford to have is glaring roster holes. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers might have a big problem on their hands as they gear up for the final stretch of the 2025 season.
After upsetting the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 14, Pittsburgh owns sole possession of first place in the AFC North and control their own destiny the rest of the way. But winning the division will only get them so far if their biggest roster weakness gets exposed in the postseason.
And the most terrifying position is hiding in plain sight.
Since the 2023 first-round offensive tackle Broderick Jones suffered a neck injury that quickly landed him on IR, backup swing offensive lineman Andrus Peat suffered a head injury in Week 14 and is in concussion protocol. Meanwhile, Calvin Anderson was placed on IR ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 15 Monday Night Football matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Now the fate of Pittsburgh's season (and even their playoff hopes) may rest on their concerning offensive tackle depth.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have major concerns at left tackle after injuries strike
Dylan Cook might be the last player Steelers fans expected to see elevated into the lineup this season. Despite sticking around this ball club for years, Cook appeared in just his first-ever NFL game in Week 14. Now there's a solid chance he could start at left tackle on Monday Night against the Dolphins, if Peat isn't ready to exit concussion protocol.
Every bit of tackle depth this team had is now depleted, and Cook is the last line of defense. This is never a good sign.
Take a look at how badly the LA Chargers have struggled to get their offense going after losing starting offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater for the season. In Week 14, quarterback Justin Herbert took seven sacks while having enough time in the pocket to muster up just 139 passing yards on 41 drop-backs.
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Thankfully, Aaron Rodgers is coming off an outing in which he played his best football of the 2025 season. However, that's not guaranteed to continue—especially if the Steelers' offensive line can't hold up.
The absence of Broderick Jones has also impacted the Steelers' rushing attack. Over their past two games, Pittsburgh has carried the ball 35 times for just 92 yards (2.6 yards per carry), and has found almost no running room on he ground.
An offensive line is a unit—it takes five guys executing their assignments to ensure the running game finds success, and the quarterback stays clean. The Pittsburgh Steelers have major depth concerns at left tackle, but let's hope this glaring roster hole won't be the downfall of their 2025 season.