The Pittsburgh Steelers implemented the jumbo package in Sunday's 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. The Steelers knew they could run all over the Saints, and they did just that, rushing for 148 yards on 30 carries, an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
Spencer Anderson was the extra offensive lineman in the jumbo package.
"When you get the job, the first thing you do, you sit and down and starting going through the personnel," Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said during his Monday press conference. "And Spencer, I was so impressed with him and it was a big part of the discussion of how we were trying to forecast him for where we felt he could play, because he played so many positions."
McCarthy compared Anderson to current Bills and former Dallas Cowboys lineman Connor McGovern. In Dallas, McCarthy used McGovern as an extra offensive lineman.
"We gotta get him on the field," McCarthy said.
"When you have someone like Spencer with his unique talents, it gives you such great versatility," he added.
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson during a playoff game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Anderson was the starting right guard to begin the season, but he was replaced in Week 3 by Brock Hoffman.
"In fairness to (Anderson), I wanted to give him a chance to compete for a job, and that's why we started the way we did with him at right guard, and then he had the injury and so forth," McCarthy said when explaining why it took until Week 7 to put Anderson in jumbo sets.
"(Anderson) carries a lot of value on our football team, especially up front. And it's important for us to continue to create opportunities for him."
Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio said Anderson could even be a weapon in the passing game.
"He's athletic. He can do some things. You can throw him the football too. So, he's not always just a blocker. Once we made the move with Brock, we were like, well, 'Hey, let's get Spence involved.' He's a valuable piece and he's a smart guy who knows the offense," Angelicho said on Monday. "Like I said, he's legitimate in the passing game too. So, certainly want to try to build off that."
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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