As the NFL free agency period winds down, the Pittsburgh Steelers have likely wrapped up their major roster additions until the draft kicks off in their home city. But, as always, there's room for strategic depth moves, and their latest acquisition could play a bigger role than fans might anticipate.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly reported that the team signed former Dallas Cowboys center/guard Brock Hoffman to a one-year deal. Hoffman, an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech in 2022, has proven himself as a reliable backup and occasional starter. His experience under head coach Mike McCarthy adds an intriguing layer to his profile.
With Ryan McCollum returning as the backup center and Isaac Seumalo departing in free agency, the Steelers might be eyeing Hoffman as a potential fit for the left guard position.
Hoffman's versatility could be key in filling the gap left by Seumalo. While most of his NFL experience is at center and right guard, he did start at left guard for the Cowboys in Week 18 last season and held his own despite limited reps in that spot.
The real question is whether that single start is enough to make Hoffman a serious contender for the vacant left guard position. If the Steelers don't draft a plug-and-play guard, they might need to rely on Hoffman to step up.
Currently, Spencer Anderson is penciled in as the starter in Seumalo's absence. He filled in there last season with mixed results but seems more suited to the sixth offensive lineman role he played most of the year.
Hoffman brings more experience to the table, with nearly double the career snaps and 16 starts compared to Anderson's seven. While Anderson has the physical edge, Hoffman's familiarity with McCarthy’s system could give him an advantage.
Neither player has stood out as the definitive choice, so we might be looking at a true training camp showdown to decide who earns the starting nod. Of course, this all hinges on whether general manager Omar Khan has plans for an early draft pick to address the position.