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 weighing 327 pounds, he plays a physical position along the offensive line and has developed into a reliable rotational contributor across multiple organizations.
A Green Bay, Wisconsin native, Scharping built his reputation as a durable, four-year starter at Northern Illinois before entering the league. Since being drafted in 2019, he has appeared in regular-season games for the Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, logging more than 80 career games by the close of the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Max Scharping was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he attended Green Bay Southwest High School. Growing up in a region with deep football traditions, he was drawn to the sport at a young age and developed into one of the more promising linemen in the area by the time he reached his final high school seasons. His size and athleticism made him an attractive recruit for college programs seeking offensive line talent.
Coming out of Green Bay Southwest, Scharping attracted approximately ten scholarship offers from college football programs. He ultimately chose Northern Illinois, a Mid-American Conference program that had produced NFL-caliber linemen. His decision to attend NIU allowed him to continue developing close to home while preparing for a potential professional career along the offensive line.
Path to American Football
At Northern Illinois, Scharping spent four seasons with the Huskies from 2014 through 2018, starting across his entire college career. He lined up primarily at offensive tackle on either side of the line, with occasional appearances at offensive guard, showing the positional versatility that has come to define his professional profile. His strength was identified as a key asset by analysts evaluating his college play.
Scharping earned First-team All-Mid-American Conference recognition in three consecutive seasons, taking the honor in 2016, 2017, and 2018. He was invited to the 2019 Senior Bowl, an invitation he accepted only after returning to campus to help Northern Illinois win the MAC championship, a goal he accomplished before preparing for the NFL draft.
Max Scharping Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Scharping began his professional career with the Houston Texans, who selected him in the second round, 55th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. After opening his rookie season as a backup, he was named the starting left guard in Week 3 and went on to start the final 14 games of the year, signaling the Texans’ long-term plans for him along the interior line.
Across his three seasons in Houston, Scharping appeared in regular-season games each year. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in late October 2020 and activated in November, finishing that season with 15 games played and 49.57 percent of the Texans’ offensive snaps. In 2021, his final year with the team, he appeared in all 17 games before being waived on August 30, 2022.
Houston Texans Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Scharping’s tenure with the Texans established him as a starting-caliber NFL guard. His first significant action came in his rookie season when he was elevated into the starting lineup, holding the left guard job through the final fourteen games. He became a steady presence in the interior of the line, contributing to both the pass protection and run-blocking schemes installed by the Houston coaching staff.
One of the more memorable moments of his Texans tenure came on December 27, 2020, when Scharping caught a lateral pass from Brandin Cooks and recorded seven rushing yards to close out a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He played a full 17-game slate in 2021, his final season in Houston, before the team moved on from him in late August 2022.
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. He joined a roster that would go on a deep postseason run that winter, and he was named the starting right guard for the Bengals’ 2022 playoff games after starter Alex Cappa suffered an ankle injury in the Week 18 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Scharping re-signed with Cincinnati on March 20, 2023, returning for another season. His 2023 playing time was limited to a single regular-season game, the Week 18 victory over the Cleveland Browns, as he served primarily in a depth role along the offensive line during the year.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
After brief stints in Philadelphia and Washington during 2024, Scharping joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 1, 2024, when he was signed off the Washington Commanders practice squad. He spent much of his first season in Pittsburgh inactive on game days, appearing in just two games with one appearance coming exclusively on special teams.
On April 15, 2025, Scharping re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year contract covering the 2025 season. He continued to provide depth along the offensive line and contributed on special teams as Pittsburgh pushed through the 2025 campaign. By the close of the 2025 season, his career totals had reached 81 games played and 33 games started across the NFL.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an offensive lineman, Scharping’s game is built around his size, length, and run-blocking power. Evaluators have pointed to his strength as a consistent strength, dating back to his college career at Northern Illinois. His experience at both tackle and guard gives him schematic flexibility, and his experience in multiple offensive systems across Houston, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh has made him a reliable rotational option along the interior line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Scharping’s professional milestones include a second-round selection in the 2019 NFL draft, three consecutive First-team All-MAC honors in college, and a starting role during the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2022 playoff push. He also reached 80 career NFL games played and surpassed 30 career starts during the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Max Scharping Career Wins
Max Scharping’s career has been defined more by durability and positional versatility than by headline-making victory totals. As an interior offensive lineman, his statistical value is measured in games played, games started, and the team success that follows when the line plays well. He has contributed to winning efforts in Houston, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh across multiple seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
Among his more notable single-game performances, Scharping’s 2020 lateral catch from Brandin Cooks stands out as a rare offensive statistic for a guard. His late-season 2022 starts for the Cincinnati Bengals came during one of the franchise’s deepest playoff runs, while his lone 2023 appearance came in a Week 18 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Max Scharping Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scharping was raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and attended Green Bay Southwest High School, where he developed into a college recruit. Public details about his parents and broader family background are limited, with most of his documented family information tied to his own household rather than earlier generations.
Personal Life
Max Scharping married his wife, Cassidy Halloran, in 2021. The couple has three children, born in 2022, 2024, and 2025. The family has been based in NFL markets tied to his professional career, including time in Houston, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.
2025 Season Performance
Scharping entered the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers after re-signing on a one-year contract in April 2025. He served primarily as a depth offensive lineman and a contributor on special teams, appearing in a handful of regular-season games while backing up the starting guards on the depth chart.
By the conclusion of the 2025 season, Scharping’s career totals had climbed to 81 games played and 33 games started, reflecting his continued value as a rotational interior lineman. The Steelers leaned on his experience during stretches of the year when injuries or rotation changes required additional depth along the offensive line.
Looking ahead, Scharping’s familiarity with Pittsburgh’s offensive system and his contract status through the 2025 season position him as a veteran option for the Steelers along the interior line. His mix of size, multi-position experience, and special teams reliability makes him a candidate to remain in the league as a depth piece for contending rosters.