Max Scharping

Season	Team	GP	Grade
2022		14	F F Bottom 5%
2020		15	F F Bottom 5%
2019		16	F F Bottom 5%

Grades reflect the player's performance in each season. Header grade shows the current season.

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Steelers secured solid depth at a bargain price, landing Max Scharping on a one-year, $1.2M deal that earns a B- CVI and represents excellent value for a proven backup guard. While Scharping profiles as a depth piece rather than a difference-maker, his $1.2M salary sits well below market rate for guards with his NFL experience and versatility to play multiple positions along the interior line. At 27, he's entering his prime years with enough tread left on the tires to contribute meaningfully when called upon, having started games for both Houston and Cincinnati over the past few seasons. The one-year structure gives Pittsburgh maximum flexibility while providing Scharping a chance to rebuild his market value in a system that has historically maximized offensive line talent. This is exactly the type of low-risk, high-reward depth signing that contending teams need to make — acquiring capable veterans at below-market rates to ensure they don't fall off a cliff when injuries inevitably strike the starting lineup.

Current Sentiment

Max Scharping enters the 2026 offseason with an F-grade public perception, largely shaped by the devastating ACL tear that cut short his 2025 campaign and cast serious doubt over his future in Pittsburgh. The injury narrative has completely overshadowed any previous momentum the seven-year veteran had built, with media coverage painting a pragmatic but concerning picture of his roster security. At a modest $1.2M AAV, Scharping lacks the contractual protection of higher-paid linemen, positioning him as expendable depth rather than essential infrastructure for the Steelers' offensive line plans. Analysts and fans have adopted a sympathetic but realistic tone, acknowledging his veteran presence while questioning whether Pittsburgh can afford to wait on his recovery timeline given their competitive window. The consensus view frames Scharping as fighting an uphill battle to prove both his health and relevance, with most observers viewing his 2026 role as tenuous at best unless he demonstrates a remarkably swift and complete recovery.