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While Max Scharping has not lived up to his second-round draft slot, the veteran offensive lineman has remained a viable swing player for a number of teams. The Steelers will continue to evaluate the well-traveled blocker in-house.
Signing Scharping off the Commanders’ practice squad last season, the Steelers agreed to terms to keep him around. The team announced the re-signing (on a one-year deal) Tuesday. Pittsburgh is the seventh-year guard’s fifth NFL destination.
A former Texans second-round pick, Scharping has now been claimed on waivers — by the Bengals — and signed off a practice squad during his NFL run. He also enjoyed a short non-playing stint with the Eagles. Last season, Scharping played in two Steelers games as a backup. He played in 31 contests as a Bengals reserve from 2022-23.
Chosen 55th overall in 2019, Scharping started 33 games for the Texans over his first three seasons. The GM who selected Scharping (Brian Gaine) was fired shortly after that draft, but Scharping joined Tytus Howard as early fixtures on Houston’s O-line. The Northern Illinois product played both guard spots regularly for the Texans, but the team waived him early during Nick Caserio‘s GM run. Scharping has played fewer than 100 offensive snaps over the past three seasons.
The Steelers let three-year guard starter James Daniels walk in free agency but will be eager to have rookie-contract cog Mason McCormick build on a season spent as a Daniels injury fill-in. The team also has left guard starter Isaac Seumalo back for a third season. Fifth-year vet Ryan McCollum and 2023 seventh-rounder Spencer Anderson in place as backup options. Scharping, 28, will attempt to stay in this mix for a second season.