PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted rookie tight end Noah Gindorff on a tryout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday, a source confirmed to Steelers Now.
Gindorff is a 6-foot-6, 263-pound rookie from North Dakota State. He originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, but was released on Aug. 17.
In his five seasons in Fargo, Gindorff was part of three championship teams with the Bison in 2018, 2019 and 2021. A leg injury limited him to two games as a senior in 2022. He was an FCS All-American in 2021, when he made 17 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns while the Bison went on to win a national title.
Because of his injury, Gindorff did not participate in athletic testing in the pre-draft process. The Steelers scouted him in person three times, at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, the 2023 NFL Combine, and sent director of college scouting Dan Colbert to his pro day at NDSU.
Gindorff is regarded as a premiere blocking tight end, but a below-average receiver. It’s unclear why the Steelers are looking at a tight end at this juncture. The team has three returners in Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry and Connor Heyward along with third-round pick Darnell Washington, already. Additionally, fifth tight end Rodney Williams has had an excellent training camp.
It’s possible that the team fears Williams could be claimed on waivers, or that they are also considering cutting Gentry, whose blocking-first role has largely been overtaken by Washington.
There has also been speculation that some teams have considered moving Gindorff from tight end to tackle.
He does have one thing the Steelers always love to see: NFL bloodlines. His father, Mike Gindorff, spent time as a defensive tackle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings in the early 1990s.