Steelers to Sign Former Chargers Fullback

The Steelers will sign former Chargers fullback Zander Horvath, according to Pete Byrne of WSBT TV in South Bend, Indiana. This signing likely will land Horvath on the practice squad rather than on the active roster, bringing the team’s practice squad to 15 players with only one spot left open. Horvath and the reported signing of Tariq Carpenter have yet to be announced by the Steelers officially.

Horvath is an athletic football player. In fact, had he tested at the NFL Combine, he would have been the most athletic fullback to ever test there. He posted a perfect 10 out of 10 RAS, running a 4.60 40-yard dash, 35.5-inch vertical jump, 31 bench press reps, 4.25 short shuttle, 6.75 3-cone, and 10-foot-3-inch broad jump.

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At @BoilerFootball Pro Day, Zander Horvath tested as the #1 athletic-testing fullback in NFL Combine history (per RAS/@Mathbomb).

✅@TheLowmanTrophy finalist
✅#ShrineBowl standout
✅Elite Athletic Testing
🔜NFL Draft pick pic.twitter.com/FkJE0FoGz0

— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) March 30, 2022

That testing allowed Horvath to get drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Purdue. He was selected in the 7th round by the Chargers and in his rookie season, caught two touchdowns. He had four rushes for eight yards but two first downs on his minimal touches during the season. An avid special teamer, Horvath played 256 special teams snaps last year on kick return, kick block, punt return, and punt coverage, turning into a core of that unit for Los Angeles.

The Chargers released him after initial cuts to add Tanner Muse to their 53-man roster. Head coach Brandon Staley said they wanted Horvath back on the practice squad, but something went awry. Horvath’s best season at Purdue came in the COVID-shortened season when he racked up 304 yards receiving and 442 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He earned Big Ten Third-Team honors following the impressive shortened season. His senior season he put up over 400 total yards, with 320 of those yards coming on the ground.

Horvath will be the only true fullback the Steelers have on the roster. Connor Heyward plays there, but he is more of an H-Back. But Horvath has that athleticism and special teams aptitude that the Steelers look for in their fullbacks nowadays, so it makes sense to add him to the practice squad.