Unpopular Opinion: Pat Meyer can develop the Steelers young offensive line

When the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the dreaded long offseason, there are plenty of ideas to debate. As part of the triumphant trio on the Steelers Preview podcast, I’ve been known to often give a “Dave answer“ to various things as I often like to argue both sides of an issue. With this in mind, a new weekly segment has been born… Unpopular opinion.

There are plenty of arguments both for and against the Pittsburgh Steelers that might not go along with the majority of fans. Oftentimes I believe in these arguments, while other times I simply like to pose a counter argument for ones that are taking it too much to the extreme. For this reason, I’m going to offer some points about the Pittsburgh Steelers that go against the general fan narrative, or at least how I have heard things.

Next up is the question if the Steelers have the right man for the job in leading the offensive line…

Pat Meyer can develop the Steelers young offensive line

This weeks unpopular opinion was a submission from a listener on Twitter/X. I want to thank @ToddHall_TAS for suggesting the topic.

I will admit that I felt that the Steelers could have moved on from Pat Meyer at the end of the 2024 season. His “strike first“ philosophy is very different to the rest of the NFL and nothing about it has stood out as being outstanding. But after looking at things from this submission, I understand that he might be key in the Steelers offensive line development.

First, I do want to acknowledge that the development of young players also falls as much, if not more, on the assistant offensive line coach. Currently that position is held by Isaac Williams who started coaching with the Steelers in 2024. Is a combination of both of these coaches that can really bring out the best in the offensive line.

When looking at the players the Steelers have drafted, it is important to realize that unsuccessful draft picks such as Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson both occurred before Pat Meyer joined the Steelers. Green was drafted in 2021 along with Dan Moore while Kevin Dotson was selected in 2020. Pat Meyer joined the Steelers coaching staff in 2022 when there were no offensive lineman drafted. So the development of those players coming up short, particularly Green and Dotson being traded away, might have been when Myers was on the coaching staff but ultimately it did not begin with him.

The Steelers have drafted five offensive linemen, all in the 2023 and 2024 drafts, since Pat Meyer was hired as the Steelers offensive line coach. While 14th overall pick Broderick Jones has been sketchy his first two NFL seasons, it was known when he was selected that he was a raw player that would need to develop. The 2025 season will be a big year for him, and will also bring Myers ability to develop young players more into focus.

But it’s the other player who was drafted in 2023 that shows that Pat Meyer has been able to develop young players. Selected at pick 251, Spencer Anderson has spent two years with the Steelers. Appearing in eight games as a rookie, Anderson was in all 17 games in 2024 and had four starts. Being selected that late in the draft, Anderson has developed into a quality backup offensive lineman.

In the 2024 draft, it’s hard to evaluate Troy Fautanu as he only appeared in one game before getting injured in practice the next week. It should be noted that, even though he was returning from injury in the preseason, Fautanu earned the starting job with a limited preseason. So his development was significant in the short amount of time before he was lost for the season.

Looking at Zach Frazier as a second round draft pick, he played like a player in his rookie season who should have been taken in the top 10. So looking at Frazier, there’s no reason to think that that was a dark spot on Meyer‘s resume. Throw in fourth round guard Mason McCormick, who came from an FCS school, and the fact that he landed in the starting lineup early in the season, the case could be made that Pat Meyer got these players ready to go early in their rookie campaigns.

While it’s entirely possible that the offensive line could struggle in 2025 and Pat Meyer’s time in Pittsburgh could be short-lived, there’s also just as much of a chance that he is the right guy to develop these young players and this line comes together in a big way in 2025.

To hear the latest Unpopular Opinion podcast, check it out in the player below. Be sure to check back for this podcast every Sunday morning during the Steelers offseason.