2024 Steelers Exit Interviews: Isaac Seumalo and Max Scharping

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2025.

Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do them yet again here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.

Next up are offensive linemen Isaac Seumalo and Max Scharping.

Isaac Seumalo

Position: Offensive Guard
Years with the Steelers: 2
Years in the NFL: 9
Contract Status: Signed through 2025
Contract Details: $10,191,668 salary cap hit for 2025. Would cost the Steelers $2,316,668 in dead money if released and save $7,875,000.
Games played in 2024: 13 regular season
Games started in 2024: 13 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 829 (offense), 1 (special teams)
PFF score: 66.3 (26th of 77)
Notable stats: Seumalo had 3 penalties called on him in 2024. According to PFF he surrendered 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 28 total QB pressures.

Notes: Despite being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, Isaac Seumalo did not have his strongest season in the NFL. Missing the first four games of the year, Seumalo did give the Steelers a veteran presence on the offensive line with all other starters on rookie contracts. As is often the case, offensive lineman don’t necessarily make the Pro Bowl in the season they should have simply because it takes a year of name recognition. Additionally, Seumalo himself commented about being a replacement player rather than making it initially. While it’s very possible the Steelers will have Seumalo play out the rest of his contract before replacing him on the offensive line, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility for them to move on this year if they add the right piece during the offseason.

Max Scharping

Position: Offensive Guard
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 6
Contract Status: Free Agent
Contract Details: Contract expiring with no dead money.
Games played in 2024: 13 regular season
Games started in 2024: 1 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 7 (offense), 1 (special teams)
PFF score: 74.3 (DNQ for ranking)
Notable stats: Scharping had no penalties called on him in 2024. According to PFF he surrendered no QB pressures as he only played fours snaps as a passing play.

Notes: Only stepping on the field in two different games this season, Max Scharping was the Steelers last offensive lineman on the 53-man roster and often inactive during game days after joining the team at the beginning of October. Playing on a minimum deal, there likely would be no major advantage or disadvantage if the Steelers brought Scharping back for training camp in 2025. But as is often the case, an upgrade at offensive line depth is welcomed.

Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:

Troy Fautanu & Broderick Jones
Zach Frazier & Ryan McCollum
Roman Wilson & Van Jefferson
Payton Wilson & Patrick Queen
Mason McCormick & James Daniels
Logan Lee & Isaiahh Loudermilk
Ryan Watts & Damontae Kazee
Joey Porter Jr. & James Pierre
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Pat Freiermuth
Nick Herbig & Jeremiah Moon
Cory Trice Jr. & Donte Jackson
Spencer Anderson & Calvin Anderson
Larry Ogunjobi & Preston Smith
Beanie Bishop Jr. & Cameron Sutton
George Pickens & Mike Williams
DeMarvin Leal & Dean Lowry
Calvin Austin III & Ben Skowronek
Connor Heyward & MyCole Pruitt
Mark Robinson & Elandon Roberts
Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
Russell Wilson & Justin Fields
Kyle Allen & Cordarrelle Patterson