Getty
Center Brock Hoffman, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys
It’s been nearly two weeks since former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Brock Hoffman–who developed a reputation as a tough and versatile backup center capable of filling in, too, at both guard spots–was first reported to have signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, joining old Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. But in a bizarre twist, Hoffman himself said that he had not, in fact, signed with the Steelers and was still a free agent.
On Friday, though, that changed yet again. New reports say that Hoffman, who was not given a tender offer by the Cowboys in the run-up to free agency, has indeed signed with the Steelers.
That ends four years in Dallas for Hoffman, who was undrafted in 2022 and was cut by the Browns before signing with the Cowboys. He was a consistent contributor during his tenure, playing in all 17 games each of the last three seasons, and started seven games in both 2024 and 2025.
Brock Hoffman Gets 1-Year Deal With Steelers
The news of the signing came from Mark Kaboly of “The Pat McAfee Show,” who wrote on Twitter X that Hoffman is now officially an ex-Cowboys lineman.
He wrote: “SOURCE(S): The Steelers have signed C/G Brock Hoffman (6-4, 302) to a 1-year deal to strengthen their depth in the interior of the offensive line. The 26-year-old played 4 seasons with the Cowboys. He went undrafted in 2022 out of Virginia Tech, but was an UDFA of Cleveland that year. He was added to the Dallas practice squad late in 2022 by now Steelers coach Mike McCarthy.”
Cowboys Lose a ‘Stud’
The Cowboys entered the 2026 offseason with two big decisions among their depth pieces on the offensive line: guard TJ Bass and Hoffman. Both had been significant contributors in recent years, as the Cowboys have transitioned from a strong veteran offensive line, to a group rebuilt around young players like Cooper Beebe, Tyler Guyton and Tyler Booker.
Hoffman and Bass were key in filling in when the older veterans were injured. And they fille din when the younger players either struggled or got hurt themselves. Hoffman played all 51 games in the last three years, and Bass played 48.
The pair had bonded as key backups, and Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said during the combine that the team intended on keeping them both.
Said Schottenheimer: “Both of those guys are studs. They’re glue pieces for us. They’re always prepared, they’re ready. Both of those guys could start for other teams in the league.”
GettyHead coach Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Added Matt Hennessy
Ultimately, the Cowboys decided to let Hoffman walk. The team gave the second-round tender offer to Bass, which locked him in, but not to Hoffman. Bass signed his tender, which is a one-year, $5.8 million contract for next season.
It’s not clear what Hoffman’s contract in Pittsburgh will be, but the decision to cut him loose likely came down to money. Dallas signed veteran offensive lineman Matt Hennessy early in free agency, and he is expected to fill the role left open by Hoffman. Dallas got Hennessy on a one-year, $1.4 million contract.
Hennessy is a six-year veteran who was with the 49ers last season, and played in 17 games with two starts.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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