Pittsburgh Review

Mason McCormick, a guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a rookie season that surpassed many expectations. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft as the 119th overall pick, McCormick played in all 17 games and started in 14. He initially filled in at left guard before taking over at right guard after James Daniels' injury.

Reflecting on his first year, McCormick said, "I feel like I learned and grew a lot. Obviously, it didn't finish the way we wanted it to, but I look forward to keep progressing and keep being better because of it." He emphasized personal growth and learning about himself and his team as key takeaways from his rookie experience.

McCormick aimed to start from the beginning despite not being expected to fill such a role immediately. "I feel like you have to have that confidence coming in," he stated. "If you don't believe in yourself, nobody will."

Adapting from college football at South Dakota State to the NFL was manageable for McCormick. He noted improvements in his football intellect and comfort with game speed and schematics: "Obviously the speed picked up for me, but I felt like I adapted to it pretty quick."

Veteran guard Isaac Seumalo played an influential role in McCormick's development by offering guidance on various aspects of professional play. "Isaac Seumalo has done a ton for me," McCormick acknowledged.

As he prepares for his second year, McCormick is focused on refining techniques and continuing mental growth as a player: "There's a lot of different things technique-wise I want to work on."