Max Scharping
Max Scharping
Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Max Scharping is getting another crack at the NFL.
Scharping, who spent last season on Injured Reserve with the Steelers after tearing his ACL in practice in the regular season, is heading back to the Washington Commanders, the team the Steelers initially signed him away from early in the 2024 season.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Scharping is headed back to the nation’s capital on a one-year deal.
The #Commanders are expected to sign veteran offensive lineman Max Scharping, sources tell @CBSSports.
The Steelers originally signed Scharping off the Commanders’ practice squad on October 1, 2024, adding veteran depth and experience on the interior after losing former guard James Daniels for the season due to a torn Achilles.
He played just seven offensive snaps in 2024, spending much of the season inactive. The Steelers liked having the depth and experience around though and re-signed the veteran to a one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season. Though he was cut in final roster cuts, Scharping circled back to the 53-man roster before the season opener and provided experienced depth once again.
But ahead of the Week 3 matchup on the road against the New England Patriots, Scharping tore his ACL in practice, ending his season. The Steelers moved on in the offseason.
Prior to his time with Pittsburgh, Scharping bounced around the league. He was a former second-round pick of the Houston Texans, spending three seasons in the AFC South. With Houston, Scharping played 2,081 snaps, seeing time at left and right guard.
He then spent two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, seeing just 43 total snaps before then spending time in the offseason ahead of the 2024 season with the Philadelphia Eagles and Commanders.
Scharping turns 30 in mid-August and could provide the Commanders with a boost on the interior of the offensive line. He’s played 1,396 snaps at left guard, 686 snaps at right guard and 12 snaps at center in the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. Last summer with the Steelers, Scharping saw 106 snaps at center, adding to his abilities in the trenches.