PITTSBURGH — From the moment Omar Khan made his first draft pick as Steelers GM in 2023, his vision has been clear. Perhaps no NFL team has committed more high-end draft capital to its offensive line in recent years than Pittsburgh.With Khan in the pilot’s chair and assistant general manager Andy Weidl — a former offensive lineman whose work as an executive helped build the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX roster through the trenches — setting the draft board, the Steelers have selected seven offensive linemen in the last four years. First, offensive tackle Broderick Jones in 2023 (along with seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson). Then in 2024, first-round tackle Troy Fautanu, second-round center Zach Frazier and fourth-round guard Mason McCormick. Now, in 2026, first-round tackle Max Iheanachor and third-round guard Gennings Dunker.By putting an emphasis on the offensive line in the draft, the Steelers simultaneously made the coaches who work with this group some of the most important people in the organization. That’s perhaps the hidden value of hiring a veteran coach like Mike McCarthy. By reuniting with James Campen (who coached with the Packers from 2004-2018), McCarthy brought in a well-respected offensive line coach who could help this young core realize its full potential.“Oh, it’s a tremendous opportunity,” Campen said Wednesday. “They have invested a lot of draft capital into it, and all those things are pluses. But they’re only pluses on paper if it comes to fruition, in my opinion. And so that’s our job as line coaches to get those players to play at a high level… You have to enhance these draft picks and enhance every one of them.”Campen, who played for the Packers from 1989 to 1993, is entering his 21st NFL season. He’s universally beloved by his players, even those he hasn’t directly coached, like Aaron Rodgers. More importantly, he has a proven track record of helping young linemen maximize their abilities.Seven players Campen coached in Green Bay were selected to the Pro Bowl. Center Jeff Saturday, who played his final season with the Packers after 13 in Indianapolis, and guard Marco Rivera each spent only one year working with Campen, but there were a series of late-round picks Campen helped develop: center Scott Wells (2004 seventh round), tackle David Bakhtiari (2013 fourth round), guard T.J. Lang (2009 fourth round) and guard Josh Sitton (2008 fourth round). Chad Clifton, a 2000 second-round pick, had the only two Pro Bowl seasons of his career when Campen was his position coach.
New O-line coach James Campen could be the key to unlocking the Steelers’ future
The veteran coach has a long track record of developing talent, and few teams have invested in young O-linemen like the Steelers.












