The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Mason McCormick for the future, not knowing how quickly the future would come. By the end of the 2024 season, he had started 14 games, playing 939 snaps. While he enters his second season in pole position to start, they could bring in competition.
A fourth-round pick out of South Dakota State, McCormick opted to stay there out of loyalty rather than transfer to a bigger program. The Steelers found that loyalty attractive, and they especially liked his experience and physicality. Reports also indicated they were pleasantly surprised with his athleticism for a man his size.