Is Maurkice Pouncey Steelers Next Hall of Famer?
PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey is one of 52 Modern-Era players advancing in the voting for the 2026 class of the Football Hall of Fame. He was a staple along the offensive line between 2010 and 2020, and now his excellent career is one step closer to being forever enshrined in Canton, Ohio at the Hall of Fame.
The former Steelers center is a future Hall of Famer, there’s no question about it. One of the greatest Steelers players in franchise history is on an express route to his enshrinement. Even with a first-class ticket to his destination, don’t expect his induction to come with this next class. Pouncey will get into the Hall one day, but it’s not next year.
First-Year Eligible
The big thing going against Pouncey is that this is his first year of eligibility. The Hall isn’t too keen on inducting offensive linemen immediately. Two previous Steelers Hall of Fame centers serve as a template. Mike Webster, one of the greatest of all-time at the position, took two years before earning the nod. Dermontti Dawson had to wait over a decade after his NFL career ended before receiving that call from Canton.
Pouncey’s NFL career was incredible. He was a two-time AP 1st Team All-Pro, a three-time AP 2nd Team All-Pro and a nine-time Pro Bowler. He was the first center in NFL history to be named to the Pro Bowl in his first three years in the league. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s, another notable addition to his HOF application. Despite all that, the Hall of Fame will make Pouncey wait at least a year before his enshrinement. Patience, Steelers fans, one day soon there will be a trio of Pittsburgh centers with their busts displayed in the Hall of Fame.
Quarterback’s Best Friend
Pouncey’s career is forever intertwined and linked with franchise legend and two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The two played 10 seasons together in the NFL. During their tenure, they formed one of the top duos in the NFL and led the Steelers to a Super Bowl appearance and two trips to the AFC Conference Championship.
Roethlisberger isn’t eligible for the Hall of Fame until 2027. Something tells me that Pouncey won’t be voted in until his running mate and signal-caller in the NFL is entering as well. Could the Hall of Fame Class of 2027 be a Steelers filled one?
Steelers Part Ways with Injured Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren
PITTSBURGH — After an injury knocked a rookie Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman out of action, his time with the organization has officially come to an end. The Steelers waived Gareth Warren, a massive, 22-year-old offensive tackle, according to the NFL's transaction list.
The move comes after Warren was injured during the Steelers’ second preseason game. Diving for a loose ball, he received a concussion and was unable to return for the rest of preseason action. After being waived with the final roster cuts, the team placed him on the Reserved/Injured List. Now healthy, the team is parting ways with him altogether.
With this designation, Warren is now free to sign with any other NFL team.
Unexpected Rise
Warren joined the Steelers after going undrafted during the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6’6”, 330-pound tackle was passed over after finishing his collegiate career at the FCS school Lindenwood. With several NFL teams interested in signing him as an undrafted free agent, he chose to sign in
The step was a continuation of Warren’s rise up the ranks. Born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, he was a standout player at Kealakaehe High School before becoming joining the Lindenwood Lions. As a junior, he was a part of an offensive line that dominated the conference and FCS competition. The Lions averaged 39.5 points per game and 509.1 yards per game, both tops in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).
Lack of Opportunity
Despite showing promise and potential, the road to a spot on the 53-man roster was long. And the road to becoming an impact player at the tackle position even longer.
It’s no disrespect to Warren, but he’s an unrefined player in need of further development and more attention in order to take that next step. Receiving that in Pittsburgh was a low possibility.
The Steelers have two young tackles they fully believe in already. Troy Fautanu has already become an unquestioned staple on the right side, despite this being his first year of playing regular season games in the NFL.
Broderick Jones has similarly gained more and more trust from the Steelers’ coaching staff and starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. He and Fautanu haven’t allowed a sack in two straight games, and the offensive line is gelling more and more as the season progresses.
Behind Jones and Fautanu, the Steelers also have veterans like Dylan Cook and Andrus Peat that can step up in the case of injury.
The result is a crowded path for Warren to become an NFL player, and the Steelers are now giving him the chance to catch on somewhere else.
