Steelers sign No. 21 pick Max Iheanachor

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed first-round offensive tackle Max Iheanachor to a four-year rookie contract on May 15, the team said, completing a key piece of their 2026 draft class before the next phase of offseason work. Iheanachor was the No. 21 overall pick in April's NFL Draft out of Arizona State. The team did not disclose financial terms in its announcement. Multiple outlets, citing contract figures tied to the slot for the 21st pick, reported the deal is worth about $20.69 million and includes an $11.598 million signing bonus. ### Which player did Pittsburgh just get under contract? Max Iheanachor entered the league as Pittsburgh's top pick in the 2026 draft after the Steelers used the 21st selection on the Arizona State tackle. The Steelers' official draft announcement identified him as an offensive tackle, and the club's contract announcement used the same designation. Arizona State was the final stop in Iheanachor's college career before he joined Pittsburgh. (steelers.com) Local coverage of the signing listed him at 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds, measurements that place him among the larger linemen in the Steelers' rookie class. ### What exactly did the Steelers say when they announced it? The Steelers posted the signing on their website Friday afternoon and said Iheanachor had agreed to a four-year contract. (steelers.com) Teresa Varley, writing for Steelers.com, said the deal covered the team's first-round pick and confirmed his draft slot at No. 21 overall. Coach Mike McCarthy used the team release to praise the rookie. "I'm very excited about Max," McCarthy said in the Steelers' announcement, calling him "a stud of a young man." (triblive.com) ### How much is the rookie deal worth? The Steelers did not publish dollar terms in their release, but several reports on May 15 put the contract at roughly $20.692 million over four years. Those reports also said the agreement is fully guaranteed and carries an $11.598 million signing bonus. (steelers.com) Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 was cited by several outlets as the first reporter to publish the financial details. (steelers.com) Because first-round rookie contracts are largely set by the NFL's slotting system, the reported value aligned with what is typically attached to the 21st pick. ### How far along is Pittsburgh with its draft class? TribLive reported on May 15 that Iheanachor became the seventh member of Pittsburgh's 10-player draft class to sign. (steelersdepot.com) The same report said receiver Germie Bernard, quarterback Drew Allar and running back Eli Heidenreich remained unsigned at that point. The Steelers had already presented Iheanachor as part of their 2026 rookie group during and immediately after the draft. (sports.yahoo.com) Video posted by the club showed Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis announcing the pick, followed by team-produced welcome content after Iheanachor arrived in Pittsburgh. ### What does the timing mean for the offseason calendar? May 15 put the signing in place with organized team activities approaching on Pittsburgh's offseason schedule, according to multiple reports. (triblive.com) Yahoo's roundup of the transaction said the Steelers had their first-round pick under contract with days left before OTAs. The contract allows Iheanachor to take part in the club's remaining spring work without a rookie-deal holdout hanging over him. (steelers.com) Pittsburgh's next public milestones are the rest of its offseason program and the start of training camp later this summer, when Iheanachor will join veterans in on-field competition for snaps along the offensive line. (steelers.com) (sports.yahoo.com)