Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum during a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 30, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
All 90 is a Steelers Now series profiling each of the 90 members of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 offseason roster. Next up is OL Ryan McCollum.
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.
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum at training camp on Aug. 6, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
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.”
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 Frazier. McCollum played in all 17 games for the first time in his career and made two starts in relief of Frazier.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, center Ryan McCollum and guard Isaac Seumalo against the New York Jets on Oct. 21, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Career: Ryan McCollum went undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft but caught on with the Houston Texans and landed on their practice squad. The Detroit Lions claimed McCollum off of the Texans practice squad and he was on the active roster for 13 games as a rookie. He started one game for the Lions and played 100 of his 101 snaps at center.
In 2022, McCollum joined the Steelers and spent two seasons on and off the practice squad. In 2023, he was elevated once for the team’s Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Steelers center Ryan McCollum at Training Camp, Aug. 8, 2023 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
YearTeamGPGSOffensive SnapsSacks AllowedPenaltiesPFF Rating2021DET1311012149.52022PIT00000–2023PIT00000–2024PIT421530250.3
Pre-draft: Measured at Texas A&M pro day: 6-foot-5 1/4, 307 pounds, 33 5/8-inch arms, 10 1/4-inch hands, 20 bench press reps, 29.5-inch vertical, 8-foot-2 broad jump, 5.3-second 40-yard dash, 1.89-second 10-yard split, 4.8-second shuttle, 7.71-second shuttle. McCollum had a 5.02 Relative Athletic Score out of 10.
College: Ryan McCollum originally committed to Oklahoma State but instead signed with Texas A&M. The Aggies placed McCollum on a redshirt in 2016. As a redshirt freshman, McCollum appeared in 13 games and started seven of them. McCollum split time starting in 2018 before becoming a full-time starter in 2019. Following the 2019 season, McCollum earned the Offensive Unselfish Leadership Award at the annual team banquet.
In 2020, McCollum was named as a team captain and started all 10 games as a senior.
Ryan McCollum, Texas A&M Athletics
Salary cap and future: Ryan McCollum is signed to a one-year contract that will pay him $1.03 million if he makes the team’s final roster. None of his contract is guaranteed, meaning if the team decides to release him, they will not face any dead money penalties. McCollum is scheduled to be a restricted free agent in 2026.
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