Mike McCarthy Addresses Steelers Call With Makai Lemon in NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers were part of a wild NFL Draft night situation, which unfolded in real time, as USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was on the phone with the Steelers.
However, things can change quickly with draft trades, and that’s what occurred. While Lemon was talking to Steelers general manager Omar Khan, news arrived that the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to take their next wide receiver.
Lemon was on the phone with Khan, with family and friends around him, when suddenly several people rushed up to him to inform him that Philly had just traded to draft him at No. 20 overall.
That move immediately raised speculation about the future of Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. However, it also created a viral video in which Lemon is talking to one team and then learns another has drafted him.
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Pittsburgh drafted a spot after Philly, going with Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor for their roster. On Friday, head coach Mike McCarthy appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” and spoke about getting Iheanachor for next season.
“Well, number one, we just love his play style. Obviously, his physical gifts are that of such with a high ceiling,” McCarthy said of the Sun Devils OT.
“You see when he strikes, he sticks on blocks, he finishes. Does a great job against second or third reactions. So there’s just a lot there, and I think he’s an incredible fit for our offensive line group, which I’m very high on already,” the Steelers coach said.
Eisen asked McCarthy about the situation involving Lemon, whom Pittsburgh was in contact with via phone during the NFL Draft Thursday night, when another team, the Eagles, came through on “call waiting.”
The Steelers coach said it was the first time he’s been around something like that, but felt the “norm” in his experience was that the team had a “pot of players” to choose from, with their pick being in the 20s.
“Lemon was definitely part of that. He’s a fine player and obviously ended up in Philadelphia, so I think the good lord always works his magic, and Max is with us. I feel great about the way it ended up,” McCarthy told Eisen. “Lemon will do great over there in Philadelphia, but we’re right where we need to be for good reason.”
Pittsburgh, which is hosting this year’s draft, will have another pick in Round 2 at No. 53 overall. There could always be more trades, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll have another situation like the one that occurred on the first night of the draft.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 5:17 PM.