Max Scharping Bio
Max Scharping (born August 10, 1996) is an American professional football guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and listed at 148 kilograms, he plays an interior offensive line position and has built his career on positional versatility. He played college football for the Northern Illinois Huskies and was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. Scharping has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders.
Across his professional career, Scharping has transitioned between starting roles and depth-chart assignments while moving through four NFL organizations. His path has included an early starting opportunity in Houston, postseason starts in Cincinnati, a brief training-camp stop in Philadelphia, and a late-season promotion to the active roster in Pittsburgh. Known for his size and run-blocking foundation developed at the college level, he continues to add depth to a Steelers offensive line working to establish consistency.
Early Life and Background
Max Scharping was born on August 10, 1996, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. He grew up in the same football-centric community that supports the Green Bay Packers, an environment that places the sport at the center of local culture from a young age. That setting provided an early and consistent exposure to football fundamentals and competition.
He attended Southwest High School in Green Bay, where he played along the offensive line and developed the frame and base that would later define his college recruitment. His high school work attracted scholarship attention from multiple college programs, with approximately ten scholarship offers reportedly on the table by the end of his prep career. The combination of size, footwork, and finish made him a sought-after interior and tackle prospect.
Path to American Football
Scharping chose Northern Illinois out of roughly ten scholarship offers, opting for a program that had a recent track record of producing NFL linemen and that could offer immediate playing time. He arrived as a developmental prospect and steadily earned a starting role during his freshman year, laying the groundwork for a long run of conference recognition.
At Northern Illinois, Scharping started four consecutive seasons, lining up primarily at tackle on either side of the offensive line while occasionally sliding inside to guard. He made First-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) in his sophomore (2016), junior (2017), and senior (2018) seasons, becoming one of the most decorated linemen in program history. Analysts frequently cited his strength as a defining trait, and his decision to remain in school for his senior year was driven in part by a goal of winning a MAC championship, which he accomplished.
Following the conclusion of his senior season, Scharping was invited to the 2019 Senior Bowl, a premier all-star showcase that allowed him to test his skills against top college linemen from across the country. His three consecutive All-MAC selections, combined with his Senior Bowl invitation, positioned him as a clear NFL draft prospect heading into the spring evaluation period.
Max Scharping Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Scharping was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round, 55th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. He began his rookie season in a backup role before being named the starting left guard in Week 3, a promotion that signaled the Texans’ belief in his readiness. From that point forward, he started the final 14 games of the season, logging significant snaps and gaining valuable in-game experience.
His 2020 season was interrupted when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on October 28, 2020, and later activated on November 10. He returned to play in 15 games that year, appearing on 49.57% of the Texans’ offensive snaps. In 2021, he appeared in all 17 games, completing his final season in Houston. On August 30, 2022, Scharping was waived by the Texans, closing a three-year run that established his NFL foundation.
Houston Texans Era (2019–2021)
Houston represented Scharping’s introduction to the professional level, and the Texans gave him an early runway to develop. After earning the starting left guard job in his rookie year, he held it through the back half of the 2019 season and into 2020. The COVID-19 placement limited his availability for a stretch of the 2020 campaign, but he returned to the field and contributed on roughly half of the team’s offensive snaps. By 2021, he had appeared in all 17 games, providing continuity up front for a Texans offense in transition. A notable late-game moment came on December 27, 2020, when he recorded seven rushing yards after catching a lateral pass from Brandin Cooks to close out a loss to the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022–2023)
On August 31, 2022, one day after being waived by Houston, Scharping was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. His role expanded in the postseason when starter Alex Cappa suffered an ankle injury in the Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Scharping was named the starting right guard for the team’s 2022 playoff games, gaining meaningful postseason experience.
On March 20, 2023, Scharping re-signed with the Bengals. His 2023 playing time was limited, as he appeared in just one game, the Week 18 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Even with reduced snaps, his re-signing reflected the organization’s faith in his preparation and his value as an experienced depth piece.
Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders (2024)
On June 3, 2024, Scharping signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, joining a deep and competitive offensive line room. He was released on August 26, 2024, prior to the start of the regular season. Two days later, on August 28, 2024, he signed with the Washington Commanders practice squad, providing organizational depth without an immediate active-roster role.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
On October 1, 2024, Scharping was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers off the Commanders practice squad, marking his return to an active roster. He spent much of the remainder of the 2024 season inactive, appearing in only two games, one of which was exclusively on special teams. Despite the limited action, his availability gave Pittsburgh a developmental option along the interior line.
On April 15, 2025, Scharping re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year contract, signaling continued organizational investment in his development. His current deal runs through the 2026 league year. With his blend of size, positional flexibility, and prior starting experience, he remains part of the Steelers’ depth chart conversation heading into the 2025 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Scharping’s game is built on a sturdy run-blocking foundation, developed through four years of starting at Northern Illinois. His size and strength allow him to anchor against powerful interior defenders, and his experience at both tackle and guard provides a level of positional flexibility valued by offensive line coaches. Coaches have leaned on him as a ready insert when starters go down, particularly in playoff settings where the rhythm of the offense cannot afford long adjustment periods.
Notable Events and Milestones
Scharping’s career milestones include three consecutive First-team All-MAC honors from 2016 through 2018, an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl, and a second-round selection in the 2019 NFL draft. He started 14 games as a rookie, appeared in a 2022 Bengals playoff run at right guard, and completed a lateral-pass rushing attempt in a late 2020 Texans game. His mid-season promotion to Pittsburgh’s active roster in 2024 and his 2025 re-signing round out the arc.
Max Scharping Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public biographical information about Scharping’s parents and broader family background is not widely documented in verified sources. What is clear is that he grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a community defined by football, and attended Southwest High School in the same city. That local football culture played a meaningful role in shaping his path to the sport.
Personal Life
Verified details about Scharping’s spouse, children, and personal residence are not publicly confirmed in the available sources. He maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle @mscharps. Outside of football, he is known to have remained connected to the Green Bay area that shaped his early development.
2025 Season Performance
Max Scharping enters the 2025 NFL season on a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed on April 15, 2025. The deal provides him with a chance to compete for a depth role along an offensive line that has seen significant offseason movement. With the contract running through 2026, both player and team have aligned incentives to maximize his contributions in the year ahead.
His 2024 production was limited to two games, one of which was exclusively on special teams, leaving room for a more visible 2025 role. Coaches have expressed confidence in his preparation and his ability to play multiple interior positions. The Steelers’ depth chart along the offensive line will continue to evolve through training camp and the preseason, and Scharping’s experience provides a reliable option behind the starting group.
Looking forward, Scharping’s outlook for 2025 centers on regaining consistent in-game action and re-establishing himself as a trusted reserve. His background as a multi-year college starter, a 14-game NFL starter as a rookie, and a postseason starter for Cincinnati offers the Steelers a proven fallback plan. Whether he carves out a starting job or remains a high-end swing lineman, the 2025 season represents an opportunity to extend his professional career and reinforce the value he has shown throughout multiple stops.