The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
NANCY McMULLEN FROM HASTINGS, PA: Do you see any scenario after the draft that would lead to Troy Fautanu switching to left tackle?
ANSWER: I hope the Steelers' preference would be to allow Troy Fautanu to continue to develop as an NFL right tackle, and allow him to continue to be paired with Mason McCormick to make up a physical right side of the offensive line. To me, the Broderick Jones situation should be a cautionary tale to the idea of flipping No. 1 picks from one end of the offensive line to the other. This is the NFL, not Madden NFL 2026. But maybe that's just me.
JOE CARUSONE FROM PHOENIX, AZ: On pre-draft visits, do the Steelers put prospects through workouts and physicals, or are there just interviews?
ANSWER: There might be physicals if the team needs a progress report on a rehab, or if it wants a more comprehensive look at something specific. There might be some working out, but nothing on the scale of a Pro Day or the Combine. It might be some classroom work. What it is not is a one-size-fits-all situation.
CYNTHIA SUBOTICH FROM GREENSBURG, PA: I see the Coach Mike McCarthy has interest is Carson Beck, which is warranted. Why isn't Beck higher up on teams' boards? He had a good college career, plenty of experience, and has a Big Ben-type build.
ANSWER: I cannot speak to other teams' level of interest in Carson Beck, and I see the Steelers' interest in him at this stage to be about doing their due diligence on a guy who might be the third-best QB prospect in this class. But allow me to offer you this evaluation written by NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein for NFL.com:
Overview
• Three-year starter who has weathered his share of ups and downs. Beck has NFL-caliber size and a lot of experience playing in high-leverage games. He recovered from 2024 Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow, but he appeared to lose some drive velocity on deep balls and move throws. He works through progressions at a good pace and can throw with anticipation, but he loses track of safeties, throwing into hazardous spots. Beck's decision-making showed more maturity in his final college season, but pressure can pull him back into old habits. He spins a catchable ball with a compact release, but spotty accuracy leads to pass breakups and a lower conversion rate on tight-window throws. Beck projects as a good backup with the potential to earn a starting job down the road, but he must continue developing game-managing instincts.
Strengths
• Three-year starter with good size.
• Works through progressions, routinely getting to his third read.
• Ready to cut it loose when the window opens.
• Release is compact and quick enough.
• Delivers a catchable ball with tight spin.
• Looks like a different quarterback once he finds his rhythm.
• Athletic enough to escape the pocket and outrun pursuit to the sticks.
Weaknesses
• Arm talent and velocity appear diminished post-2024 UCL surgery.
• Pressure rattles his decision-making process.
• Too often loses track of safeties sitting over the top.
• Deep balls and move throws lose too much energy.
• Struggled with touch and feel on layered throws.
• Bad things tend to happen when he's forced to reset his feet.
• High number of batted passes for his height and release-point.
DAVID LEWELLEN FROM GLENDALE, WI: We have heard "room" used so often as shorthand for "position group" that now I am curious about the layout of the Steelers facility. Does each group have a designated permanent room? Is it set up like a conference room or a classroom? Also, during the season, how much time is spent in the position rooms vs. whole team meetings and time on the field?
ANSWER: On the second floor of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, there is a room assigned to every offensive and defensive position group on the team: offensive line, QBs, RBs, TEs, WRs, defensive line, LBs, DBs. And there is time spent in those rooms both working and socializing. Depending on the day of the week and the spot that day occupies in the context of the regular season schedule, there can be a lot of time spent in those "rooms."
CHRIS WELBURN FROM GLASTONBURY, CT: I understand the communication requirements/status of injured players during the season. I've heard nothing with regards to Darnell Washington as he's recovering from his broken arm. Has anything been shared? If not, should that be a concern or a normal expectation?
ANSWER: There is no communication requirement/status of injured players during the offseason. Nothing official has been shared. And I am not concerned about Darnell Washington's broken forearm in the least.
CARLOS OLIVARES FROM SILVER SPRING, MD: How big of a priority should the left tackle position be in the draft given the uncertain health of Broderick Jones?
ANSWER: If it was up to me, my "concern" wouldn't be first-round pick concern. But based on the latest medical information on the eve of the draft, it might become a late Day 2 pick concern.
DAVE STEWART FROM VALRICO, FL: When a team initiates a call to inquire about a trade for a player, are they allowed to contact that player or his agent beforehand?
ANSWER: If a team is inquiring about acquiring a player via trade, that player
Is under contract to another team. Direct contact with a player under contract to another team would be considered tampering, unless permission for contact had been given by the team holding his rights.
JOHN MOT FROM SEBRING, FL: When the team changes to its throwback or color rush uniforms, they also change the color on the helmets. Are they different helmets, or does the equipment personnel repaint or wrap them?
ANSWER: The helmets the Steelers wear with their Color Rush uniforms are the same helmets they wear with their usual uniforms. If the helmets are a different color as part of the throwback – as they were in 2025 – those are different helmets but the same size and model as the players' regular helmets. There are no special or different helmets used for practices.
JOHN PUHALA FROM SPRINGFIELD, IL: The first thing I open when I turn on my computer is Asked and Answered. I have been seeing a free agent signing of G Brock Hoffman. Did the Steelers sign him, or is this fake?
ANSWER: The Steelers announced the signing of Brock Hoffman at 4:29 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 with a story on Steelers.com and the team's media platforms.
AARON MELTON FROM ALTOONA, PA: In your opinion … Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers?
ANSWER: I am a hard-no on Kirk Cousins.
