With the Steelers selecting a tackle in the first round for the second consecutive year, they have made significant changes to their lineup at this position. Their most recent pick, Troy Fautanu, who was chosen 20th overall, is now officially signed.

The Steelers have signed Fautanu to a contract that extends through the 2027 season. This deal includes a fifth-year option, which will need to be decided upon by May 2027. Fautanu is set to join Broderick Jones as the Steelers’ potential long-term solutions at tackle.

There have been rumors about Fautanu potentially playing right tackle with Jones moving to the left side, but the team may choose to develop Fautanu gradually, following a similar path to how they handled Jones in 2023. The Steelers still have Dan Moore, who has been the starting left tackle for three years, although he has had some struggles during his rookie contract. With Moore’s deal expiring after this season, it may not be long before the Steelers rely on a Jones-Fautanu duo.

The Steelers saw Fautanu as a higher-rated prospect compared to Jones and even explored trade-up options to secure him. However, the talented left tackle from the Huskies fell to No. 20 in the draft. While playing alongside Roger Rosengarten, the eventual second-round pick for the Ravens, Fautanu established himself as a top-tier tackle prospect during his time at Washington. Standing at 6-foot-4, 317 pounds, Fautanu received first-team All-Pac-12 honors while protecting Michael Penix Jr.

It will be intriguing to see how the Steelers organize their offensive line for Week 1. Jones was initially benched behind Moore and Chukwuma Okorafor last season but eventually took over as the starting right tackle. The Steelers released Okorafor earlier this offseason, and he is now competing for the left tackle position with the Patriots. With Moore’s time in Pittsburgh seemingly coming to an end, one of the Steelers’ first-round tackle picks will likely transition to right tackle soon.

If Fautanu replaces Moore as a starter, it will mark a significant shift for the Steelers, who have traditionally used lower-tier investments at tackle. Jones was the first first-round tackle to see significant playing time with the Steelers since Wayne Gandy in 2002. The team has mostly relied on blockers drafted outside the first round, including Moore (fourth round), Okorafor (third round), and UDFA Alejandro Villanueva. By investing in Jones and Fautanu, the Steelers are aiming for a higher potential at the tackle position.