Steelers' Dylan Cook Isn't Changing Approach Despite Right Tackle Competition
As training camp approaches and Saint Vincent College prepares to host the Pittsburgh Steelers, several storylines are taking shape. Chief among them are the open competitions along the offensive line. One guard spot and one tackle spot remain up for grabs. While each competition has a frontrunner, the heat in Latrobe won't come from just the summer sun, it will come from those position battles. At right tackle, however, Dylan Cook isn't feeling the pressure. Instead, he remains focused on improving his game and helping the Steelers win.
Cook joined the Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast with Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith. When asked whether he feels added pressure to perform this offseason, he said his approach hasn't changed, a mindset that has served him well throughout his career.
"Not really. Not at all. Just get back to the drawing board, keep doing kind of what I've been doing, maybe fine-tuning things here and there, but in terms of the blueprint, it hasn't changed much," Cook told Saunders and Smith.
Cook's approach paid off with work and patience
Cook not only enters training camp as the favorite to start at right tackle, but he may also benefit from returning to his natural position. Last season, Cook stepped in at left tackle after Broderick Jones suffered a midseason injury. Despite never having played an offensive snap in a regular-season game beforehand, Cook impressed coaches, fans, and the media with how seamlessly he filled the role. After entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Cook spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons on the Steelers' practice squad before finally getting his opportunity in 2025.
His patient, workmanlike approach eventually paid off, though it came because of an unfortunate injury to a teammate. As one of his former head coaches often said, one player's misfortune can become another player's opportunity. Cook made the most of his, allowing just one sack over 291 snaps at left tackle while facing elite pass rushers such as Myles Garrett and Aidan Hutchinson.
Cook isn't new to competition
If anything, the Steelers' selection of Max Iheanachor should only reinforce what Cook has already experienced throughout his career. He has spent three seasons competing simply to earn and keep his place on an NFL roster. Cook will also benefit from working with one of the league's top offensive line coaches during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Just as importantly, he'll return to right tackle, the position he played at Montana. That familiarity could give him an edge as he competes for the starting job.
Iheanachor brings significant upside because of his rare athleticism and relatively limited football experience. Interestingly, Cook followed an unconventional path as well. He began his college career as a quarterback before transitioning to the offensive line, where he didn't play meaningful snaps until his fourth season in 2019.
Cook and Iheanachor aren't identical prospects, but their backgrounds make this one of the more intriguing competitions to watch during training camp.
After all, Cook has earned every opportunity he's received throughout his career, and he'll have another chance to do so this summer.
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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM.