Steelers Now
Ryan McCollum is on his fourth season as an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but in many ways, this year is shaping up to be different.
In each of his first three seasons, McCollum was a depth option — a near afterthought to make the team’s 53-man roster and a last-ditch emergency choice for playing time.
Last year, all of that changed. Once again, McCollum entered the season third on the depth chart, but that depth was tested. The Steelers lost starting center Nate Herbig for the season to a training camp shoulder injury. Rookie second-round pick Zach Frazer stepped in seamlessly, with McCollum taking over late in training camp as the backup.
Despite the season-ending injury, the Steelers didn’t make a desperation signing at center, trusting McCollum to handle things if he was needed. Just a few weeks later, Frazier himself was injured. McCollum was needed, and he stepped in just fine.
McCollum started two games for the Steelers in 2024, in addition to dressing for all 17 games for the first time in his career.
Now entering training camp in 2025, McCollum has a defined role for the first time since he’s come to Pittsburgh. The team made no additions to the offensive line this offseason. He’s the top backup to Frazier once again, and that means a lot entering his fifth pro season.
But in many ways, it also means nothing, as McCollum doesn’t plan to change the work ethic and motivation that got him to this point just because he’s earned a greater role.
“No, I kind of always keep a chip on my shoulder,” he said to Steelers Now. “Why would I change something that worked for me last year? Last year was the first year I made the 53, and I was on the team the whole year. So why would I change my approach? No matter what success I had, I kind of hit the reset button. It’s a new year.”
That’s not to say that he didn’t learn and grow from his experience last season. A big change from being on the practice squad all year to being the regular backup was McCollum’s level of involvement in week-to-week game plans, which he feels has elevated the mental part of his game.
“I feel like playing in the games, obviously you get more experience, and then just learning and understanding the defenses more, and how to wrap your head around a game plan, and how it changes week to week,” he said. “And kind of just understanding the offense and stuff like that, just continue to develop in those areas.”
6-foot-5, 300 pounds, 27 years old, 5th pro season
Acquired: The Steelers originally claimed Ryan McCollum off of waivers from the Detroit Lions on Aug. 16, 2022.
Last Year: McCollum started the season third on the team’s depth chart at center, but was thrust into action after injuries to both Nate Herbig and Zach...
