Versatile 2nd-year OL Spencer Anderson now specializing at guard full-time for Steelers

Before workouts began this spring, Spencer Anderson has been wont to join the quarterbacks and some fellow offensive linemen to practice the QB/center exchange.

“One time, Coach (Mike Tomlin) was like, ‘Spence, what are you doing over here?’ ” Anderson said Thursday. “I’m like, ‘I’m just helping out (the quarterbacks), getting some snaps.’ And he’s like, ‘Didn’t I ever tell you, The less you can do?’ ”

Anderson laughed while recalling that exchange. Tomlin surely was laughing while saying it, too.

Of course, one of Tomlin’s most-repeated “Tomlinisms” is “The more you can do.” The idea being that the ability to help a team in myriad areas can be the key to a job.

It probably earned Anderson a job all of last year on the 53-man active roster as a rookie. But to begin 2024, through organized team activities and minicamp that wrapped up this week, Anderson has been doing less, at least, in terms of what positions he has been playing regularly.

“I’ve been specializing in guard this entire camp,” Anderson said after the final minicamp session. “Coach just told me that, and, this entire spring, they’ve had me at guard, and that will transfer over, obviously, to Latrobe, I would imagine.”

Anderson started games at tackle, guard and center during his college career at Maryland before the Steelers drafted him in the seventh round last year. It was not unusual to see him take reps at tackle and guard during training camp or throughout regular-season practices.

But for Year 2, the Steelers apparently have decided it was better to have Anderson focusing on doing one thing well. Anderson confirmed he mostly has repped at right guard on the second team but also lined up at left guard on occasion.

“Obviously, (versatility) is definitely still in my repertoire,” Anderson said. “Definitely going to keep that in my back pocket. But this spring, the coaches needed me at guard. I did what they told me to do.”

The Steelers took three offensive linemen in the first four rounds of this year’s draft, so Anderson is far from assured of holding onto his spot on the active roster. And while it was versatility that contributed to his first pro gig, it could be viewed as a positive that the Steelers are looking at Anderson to be a master of one trade.

After all, those who are starters play only one position. And even more encouraging for Anderson is that one of the current starting guards, right guard James Daniels, is in the final year of his contract and is not expecting an extension.

That opens up a possibility that Anderson could be a starter of the future.

“It definitely shows that they kind of want you to focus on one thing, so, obviously, in your head, you were kind of thinking to be a guard, and so I strive to be the best guard I can be and best guard for the team,” Anderson said.