Spencer Anderson took a moment to look around Chuck Noll Field and the assembled fans after a recent Pittsburgh Steelers training camp practice.

Two years ago, it was all so new to him as a then-rookie seventh-round draft pick. Now, it’s Anderson’s “third time around the track,” as Mike Tomlin would say.

“You know,” the genial interior offensive lineman said, “I like to say that time flies, but life in the NFL definitely flies. But I appreciate it.”

During Anderson’s first camp in 2023, he was doing anything he could to impress and just to make the team. At 251st overall, Anderson remains the lowest non-punter draft pick the Steelers have made over the past 33 years (before the draft was shortened from 12 to seven rounds). That makes it all the more gratifying he’s managed to carve himself a nice career with a defined role on the interior of the Steelers offensive line.

As exhibited by the fact he’s taken the majority of the first-team reps at left guard throughout camp, Anderson is entrenched as the top backup at guard headed into the 2025 season. That’s the same role he held through most of 2024, when he made five starts (including the playoffs) in place of Isaac Seumalo and Mason McCormick.

“I’m just doing my job,” said the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Anderson. “You’re always competing for starting jobs. Year 3, just kind of honing in on my technique and skills and then putting my best foot forward and doing whatever I need to help the team. Whether that’s starting or whether that’s being the next man up. Whatever it is, just gotta do it.”

Anderson had experience in college at Maryland at all five spots on the offensive line, and he has repped at guard and tackle during practices basically throughout his Steelers tenure. Though he has settled in at guard, Anderson, many days during this camp, has taken a handful of reps each day at tackle. That, though, is only because of injury.

“My tackle days are over,” Anderson said, cracking a slight smile. “We just got some attrition going on in the O-line. … We’re just trying to get some reps off of some of the guys, so I’ve taken a couple but definitely not anything like (considering a switch).

“I can play tackle in a pinch. I’m a guard now. But things happen.”

Can things happen where Anderson could find himself at center?

“Huge things would have to happen,” Anderson said with a smile. “Huge things.”

Still, it’s surely comforting to Steelers coaches to know Anderson has all that positional flexibility. That’s part of what’s made him valuable.

“Spencer’s done an awesome job,” McCormick said. “He’s a guy that can play all five positions and can play all five at a really high level. Versatility a big part of this game. He’s good for the room.”

That Anderson has been playing with the starters at left guard so much at Saint Vincent because veteran Seumalo has been working only sporadically as he deals with injury proves that Anderson is firmly entrenched as the No. 3 guard on the depth chart.

With Seumalo soon to be 32 and on an expiring contract — there is no indication the Steelers are attempting to work out an extension — it’s highly likely 2026 will feature a new starter at left guard.

Will that be Anderson? After all, he’s the “next man up” right now. And in 2026, he will be the one entering the final year of his contract and eligible for an extension. After stints as a capable fill-in, could Anderson show he can be the answer as a long-term starter?

“I mean, you just take it one year at a time,” Anderson said. “It’s easy to look ahead like, as what we call amongst us players, a ‘Twitter GM’ where you start looking at all the contracts and who’s getting what.

“But you just gotta focus on your job. Everything will work itself out. I mean, I’m not really worried about it. Obviously, I love Pittsburgh. The team took a chance on me, and it’s worked out for the both of us, I would say, to this point. The future is the future. I have a job to do right now.”

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