Steelers Cut Ties with Versatile Offensive Lineman

The Pittsburgh Steelers released offensive lineman Anderson Hardy on Monday afternoon, the team announced.

Chris Ward |

Updated: Aug 26, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Anderson Hardy during a training camp practice on Aug. 6, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers released offensive lineman Anderson Hardy on Monday afternoon, the team announced. In addition to Hardy, kicker Matthew Wright and defensive back Kyler McMichael were also released in the second wave of cuts by the Steelers. The Steelers released eight players on Monday morning in the first wave of roster moves as they cut down from 91 players to a 53-man roster by Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m.

Hard struggled throughout training camp and the preseason as the third-team right tackle, so his release was expected.

The Steelers signed Anderson Hardy to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 17, 2024. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hardy was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs before being released. The Steelers hosted Hardy for a workout in September but did not opt to sign him. Hardy worked at center during his time with the Chiefs but projects as a guard-tackle hybrid.

Coming out of high school in North Carolina, Anderson Hardy committed to Appalachian State to continue his football career. Hardy was placed on a redshirt during his true freshman season. In 2019, Anderson Hardy appeared in six games primarily as a tackle.

As a redshirt sophomore, Hardy appeared in all 12 games and made three starts at left tackle. Hardy blocked on an offensive line that ranked seventh nationally in rushing yards per game with 265 yards per game. The team ran for 500 yards in their bowl game in 2020.

In 2021, Hardy started all 14 games of the season at left tackle for the Mountaineers. Following the season, Hardy earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors following the season. Appalachian State’s offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2021. The Joe Moore Award is awarded to the nation’s top offensive line unit.

Hardy started all 12 games at left tackle for the Mountaineers in 2022. Hardy earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors following his final season in college. According to Pro Football Focus, Hardy had the third-best overall blocking grade and fourth-best run-blocking grade among starting offensive tackles in the Sun Belt and he allowed just two sacks while protecting the blind side of his quarterback.

In total, Hardy appeared in 44 career games and started 29 games for the Mountaineers. He earned all-conference honors twice.