The Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office is cooking up something spicy this offseason—think slow-smoked Texas brisket, not your average backyard burger. Head coach Mike Tomlin, a man who thrives in the NFL’s high-stakes poker games, is shuffling his deck with the precision of a blackjack pro. Rumors swirl like autumn leaves in Heinz Field, but one thing’s clear: Pittsburgh isn’t just rebuilding; they’re reloading. And quietly, they’ve locked down a linchpin for their offensive trenches.
And there you have Calvin Anderson. The Steelers announced Monday they’ve re-signed the veteran offensive tackle to a two-year deal, a move that flew under the radar like a Lamar Jackson scramble. But for those who know football? This isn’t just depth. It’s a calculated play. Anderson, a 6’5”, 305-pound swing tackle, started 14 games across stints with Denver and New England before landing in Pittsburgh last September.
A two-year contract for Anderson heavily implies he will be the swing tackle to me.
He has started 14 games in his career, and has played right and left tackle.
He played 29 snaps in the team’s WC loss against the Ravens and allowed just one pressure in 25 pass blocking reps. https://t.co/woGp6Yk92x
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) April 7, 2025
Though injuries sidelined him for much of 2024, his Wild Card performance against Baltimore turned heads: 25 pass-blocking reps, just one pressure allowed. “A two-year contract for Anderson heavily implies he will be the swing tackle to me. He has started 14 games in his career, and has played right and left tackle,” said Steelers beat reporter Nick Farabaugh. “He played 29 snaps in the team’s WC loss against the Ravens and allowed just one pressure in 25 pass blocking reps.” He’s the Swiss Army knife of this line. Swing tackle?
More like safety net. Anderson’s versatility is his superpower. Drafted? Nope. But the undrafted Texas product has carved a career out of grit, starting games at both tackle spots for three different teams. In 2022 with Denver, he allowed just two sacks in seven starts. For Pittsburgh, he’s the ideal insurance policy behind rising stars Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu. Besides, Calvin’s a grinder. He’s the type who shows up when the lights do.
But here’s the twist: Anderson’s re-signing isn’t just about depth. It’s about creating stability for a bigger gamble—one involving a certain four-time MVP.
The Aaron Rodgers waiting game amid low-key re-signing of Anderson
While Anderson’s pen hit the paper, the Steelers’ brass kept one eye on a greener pasture: Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old quarterback remains unsigned, and Pittsburgh’s interest isn’t just casual dating. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin projects a one-year, $30 million deal, a figure that splits the difference between Rodgers’ legacy and his recent injury woes. “If $25 million is the floor, then Rodgers’ financial ceiling is probably about $35 million per year,” Benjamin noted. “Cut it down the middle, and you’ve got a logical contract template for Rodgers: one year for approximately $30 million.”
The Steelers’ patience mirrors a Tomlin sideline stare—cool, calculated, unflinching. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported “positive momentum” toward a deal, adding, “It seems like that’s the most likely place by far, he just hasn’t come out and said it yet.” But the clock’s ticking. With the draft looming, the Steelers must decide: Wait for Rodgers or pivot to a rookie like Shedeur Sanders?
Calvin Anderson’s return is more than a footnote. It’s a foundational piece for a team eyeing a Super Bowl window. Pair that with Rodgers’ arm talent, and suddenly, Pittsburgh’s offense looks less like a question mark and more like an exclamation point. As philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The Steelers remember their six Lombardi Trophies. Now, they’re chasing a seventh.
So, Steelers Nation: Is Aaron Rodgers the final piece—or a pricey detour on the road to glory? The answer, much like Anderson’s pass-blocking, could determine whether this season sinks or soars.
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