Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy hints at personnel changes on defensive line

The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun their voluntary mini-camp forward of the 2026 NFL Draft, which marks the primary time they’ve taken the sphere within the Mike McCarthy period.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, McCarthy mentioned the significance of getting flexibility on each side of the ball.

”With 17 video games, you see it heightened yearly,” McCarthy said. “Offensive line availability, cornerback availability, that’s probably the biggest challenge I’ve seen over the last five, six years.”

Additionally, McCarthy talked in regards to the flexibility the Steelers have on the defensive line, particularly with guys like Yahya Black and Keeanu Benton. The first-year head coach stated each guys have the flexibility to play one-tech (nostril deal with) or at five-tech (defensive finish).

Benton performed all around the defensive line in 2025. Per PFF, he has lined up within the A-Gap 234 instances, the B-Gap 513 instances, over deal with 30 instances, and outdoors the deal with 5 instances. Black moved round an excellent quantity, as effectively. He had 232 snaps within the B-Gap, 108 lined up over deal with, 77 within the A-Gap, and 28 outdoors the deal with.

With new philosophies being launched beneath new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, the Steelers may very well be a bit extra versatile defensively than we have grown accustomed to.

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