Steelers Take Max Iheanachor in 2026 NFL Draft in Front of Home Crowd, Fans React to No. 21 Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the No. 21 overall pick in the NFL draft, which is taking place just outside their home field, Acrisure Stadium.

Steeler fans reacted to the news with loud cheers.

The 6'6", 321-pound Iheanachor started 31 career games at right tackle at ASU and earned second team All-Big 12 honors in 2025.

This marks the third time in four years the Steelers have gone offensive tackle in the first round.

ESPN's Adam Schefter provided more context in relation to an unfortunate injury setback suffered by offensive tackle Broderick Jones.

Here's a look at reaction to the news.

He also received great praise from his head coach at ASU, Kenny Dillingham.

Iheanachor joins a Steelers team that went 10-7 and won the AFC North last year. The team is still waiting on word from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a 21-year veteran and four-time NFL MVP as far as whether he'll return in 2026. Steelers president Art Rooney II strongly implied in a chat with the DVE Morning Show that Rodgers' call could potentially happen by offseason team activities, which start on May 18.

Rodgers (or whomever is at QB) will have another protector up front in Iheanachor as Pittsburgh looks to return to the postseason and begin the first year of Mike McCarthy's head coaching reign on the right track.