Player insights

McCormick still has room to grow in the run game and in playing more steadily before reaching the upper tier of NFL guards, though his pass protection work could improve his standing under new head coach Mike McCarthy.

McCormick is expected to enter 2026 as Pittsburgh's starting left guard and has established himself as one of the league's more reliable pass protectors, particularly over the final stretch of the season.

McCormick improved his PFF overall grade from 57.7 as a rookie to 72.9 in his second season, with much of that improvement coming in the second half of the season when he ranked as the 10th-best guard by overall grade (79.2).

Third-year guard Mason McCormick was named to PFF's 2026 All-Breakout Team, with analyst Bradley Locklear highlighting him as poised to take another significant step forward this season after showing considerable growth in his sophomore campaign.