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Matt Feiler
Matt Feiler
from Wikipedia

Matt Feiler (born July 7, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also played baseball in high school before deciding to playing college football for the Bloomsburg Huskies.[1]

Key Information

Early life

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Feiler was born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania to parents Mark and Beth Feiler. He attended Lampeter-Strasburg High School where he played defensive tackle and offensive lineman positions with the Pioneers football team. Feiler earned 2nd Team Section 3 All-Star honors. In 2009, during his senior season, Feiler was voted Most Improved Player.[2] Feiler attended the same high school as former Major League Baseball player Jeff Bianchi and musician James Wolpert.[3]

College career

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Feiler committed to Bloomsburg University because he received better scholarship opportunities.[4] He began his freshman year in 2010 as an offensive guard and played in 11 games his first season with the Huskies. Before his sophomore season in 2012, he was moved to offensive tackle. Throughout his collegiate career, he started every game and also played in the 2014 East/West Shrine Game.[5]

Feiler has stated his NFL role model was former Bloomsburg and NFL player Jahri Evans.[3]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+78 in
(1.98 m)
330 lb
(150 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
5.37 s 1.88 s 3.11 s 4.86 s 8.13 s 26.5 in
(0.67 m)
8 ft 7 in
(2.62 m)
36 reps
All values from NFL Combine[6][7]

Houston Texans

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Feiler went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, but accepted an invitation to attend rookie minicamp with the Houston Texans on a tryout basis. On May 16, 2014, the Texans signed Feiler to a three-year, $1.54 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $5,000.[8][9] Throughout training camp, Feiler competed against Tyson Clabo, Anthony Dima, Bryan Witzmann, and Will Yeatman for a roster spot as a backup offensive tackle.[10] On August 30, 2014, the Houston Texans waived Feiler as part of their final roster cuts, but subsequently signed him to their practice squad the following day.[11] On December 31, 2014, the Houston Texans signed Feiler to a two-year, $1.11 million reserve/futures contract that included a signing bonus of $5,000.[8]

During training camp in 2015, Feiler competed for a roster spot as a backup offensive lineman against Bryan Witzmann, Will Yeatman, and Kendall Lamm. On September 4, 2015, he was released by the Texans.[12]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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On September 7, 2015, Feiler was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers and signed to their practice squad.[13] During training camp, Feiler competed for a roster spot as a backup offensive tackle against Ryan Harris and Jerald Hawkins. On September 3, 2016, Feiler was released by the Steelers as part of final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[14][15] On October 8, 2016, he was promoted to the Steelers' active roster after Harris was placed on injured-reserve.[16] On October 17, 2016, he was released by the Steelers and was re-signed back to the practice squad the next day.[17][18] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on January 24, 2017.[19]

He entered training camp in 2017 competing with Jerald Hawkins, Chris Hubbard, Brian Mihalik, Keavon Milton, and Jake Rodgers for a backup offensive tackle position.[20] After losing the backup offensive tackle positions to Hawkins and Hubbard, Feiler was named the backup right guard to David DeCastro to begin the regular season. On September 24, 2017, Feiler made his professional regular season debut as the Steelers lost 23-17 at the Chicago Bears in Week 3. On December 31, 2017, Feiler earned his first career start during a 28-24 victory against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.[21] He played in five games and started one, his first NFL start, in Week 17 at right guard.

On January 31, 2018, Feiler signed a one-year contract extension with the Steelers, who was due to become an exclusive-rights free agent.[22] Feiler competed against B.J. Finney and Jerald Hawkins to be the primary backup offensive tackle after Chris Hubbard departed in free agency.[23] He was named the primary backup tackle to begin the season. He made his first start of the season in Week 3 at right tackle in place of an injured Marcus Gilbert. He was named the starter at right tackle in Week 8, starting in nine of the final 10 games.

On March 13, 2019, the Steelers traded Marcus Gilbert to the Arizona Cardinals, thereby creating a vacancy at the starting right tackle spot. Due to this turn of events, there was a training camp battle for the position between Feiler, Chukwuma Okorafor, Zach Banner, and Jerald Hawkins, which Feiler ultimately won. Feiler started all 16 games during the 2019 season.

On March 18, 2020, the Steelers placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Feiler. He signed the tender on June 12, 2020.[24] He was named the Steelers starting left guard to begin the season. He started 13 games before suffering a pectoral injury in Week 14. He was placed on injured reserve on December 14, 2020.[25] He was activated from injured reserve on January 9, 2021.[26]

Los Angeles Chargers

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On March 17, 2021, Feiler signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.[27] He was named the starting left guard, and started every game for two seasons.

On March 15, 2023, Feiler was released by the Chargers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On April 17, 2023, Feiler was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[28] He was named the starting left guard to begin the season. He started six games before missing four due to injury, but ultimately lost his starting job to Aaron Stinnie upon his return.

Retirement

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After not being signed to a team during the 2024 and 2025 offseason, Feiler presumably retired from playing professional football and is currently an assistant coach for his high school alma mater, Lampeter-Strasburg High School.[29]

Personal life

[edit]

Feiler was born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania to Mark and Beth Feiler. He attended Lampeter-Strasburg High School and played defensive tackle and offensive lineman throughout high school. He graduated in 2014 with a degree in history from Bloomsburg University.

Feiler married Julie Carpenter of Bloomsburg, PA on March 17, 2018.

In his leisure time, Feiler enjoys watching baseball. In college, he followed coverage of the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. He prefers water over Gatorade. Feiler has also stated his favorite cereal is Lucky Charms.[2]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Matt Feiler (born July 7, 1992) is an American former professional football offensive lineman who played ten seasons in the (), primarily as a tackle and guard, after going undrafted out of Bloomsburg University. Born in , and a graduate of Lampeter-Strasburg High School, Feiler signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2014, spending his initial years on practice squads with the Texans and before emerging as a reliable starter. Feiler's NFL career began modestly; after joining the Texans' practice squad in 2014, he was claimed off waivers by the Steelers in 2015, where he remained on the practice squad until earning an active roster spot in 2017. With , he transitioned to starting right tackle midway through the 2018 season and started 13 games at left guard in 2020, protecting Ben Roethlisberger during a period that included two titles. He signed a three-year contract with the in 2021, starting 33 games at left guard over two seasons while anchoring an offensive line that supported Justin Herbert's breakout performances. In 2023, Feiler joined the on a one-year deal, appearing in 10 games with six starts to add veteran depth to their offensive line. Over his , Feiler appeared in 91 games, starting 79, and was known for his versatility across tackle and guard positions, as well as his "grit, ambition, and hustle" that defined his journey from Division II to starter. Following the 2023 season, Feiler was not signed during the 2024 or 2025 offseasons and transitioned to coaching, returning to his Lancaster County roots as an assistant coach for the offensive and defensive lines at Lampeter-Strasburg High School, his , under Bobby Knapp. In this role, which he began in 2025, Feiler aims to leverage his decade of professional experience to mentor young players, expressing a long-term commitment to in his community.

Early years

Family background and childhood

Matt Feiler was born on July 7, 1992, in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, a small borough in Lancaster County. His parents are Mark and Beth Feiler. Feiler grew up in Strasburg, a rural community with a population of 2,993 as of the 2020 U.S. Census, situated in the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish country. The area is characterized by its agricultural landscape, where farming plays a central role in the local economy and culture, with over 99% of farms in Lancaster County being family-owned and contributing significantly to the region's $150 million in annual crop cash receipts. This rural setting, known for its Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and close-knit neighborhoods, shaped Feiler's early family life, emphasizing community ties and traditional values. During his childhood up to age 14, Feiler received his early education in the local -Strasburg School District.

High school career

Matt Feiler attended -Strasburg High School in , , where he played football from 2007 to 2009 before graduating in 2010. As a 6-foot-6 lineman weighing around 265 pounds as a senior, Feiler competed as both an offensive tackle and , wearing jersey number 72. He served as team captain, demonstrating leadership on the Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers varsity squad during his time in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Feiler's high school performance garnered initial attention from college scouts, though he received limited recruitment interest from major programs. Standing out for his size and versatility, he ultimately committed to Bloomsburg University, a institution, marking the start of his collegiate path.

College career

Recruitment and freshman year

Following his high school career at Lampeter-Strasburg High School, where he earned all-conference honors as an offensive lineman, Matt Feiler faced limited interest from major college programs. Lacking offers from Division I schools, he committed to Bloomsburg University, a Division II program in the , to continue his football development. Feiler enrolled at Bloomsburg in 2010, intending to major in history while transitioning to college athletics. As a offensive guard, he was initially slated for a redshirt season to build strength and technique, but injuries and depth issues on the offensive line necessitated his early involvement. Under Danny Hale, Feiler appeared in 11 games during the 2010 season, gaining valuable experience in the Huskies' run-heavy offense despite his novice status. Throughout his early college years, Feiler balanced his academic in with the demands of adapting to Division II competition, focusing on physical maturation from his high school frame of 6-foot-6 and around 275 pounds. This foundational period allowed him to establish himself on the depth chart, setting the stage for increased responsibilities in subsequent seasons.

Later college seasons and graduation

In 2011, as a , Feiler transitioned to a starting role at guard for the , contributing to the team's offensive line during a season that saw the Huskies finish with a 9-2 record. His performance as a starter helped anchor the line, allowing the team to rank competitively in the (PSAC). By his junior year in , Feiler moved to offensive tackle, where he started all 12 games and earned first-team All-PSAC East honors, recognizing his development into a dominant blocker at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds. This shift highlighted his versatility and physical growth, as he became a key protector for the and supported a rushing attack that averaged over 200 yards per game. The Huskies advanced to the playoffs that season, finishing 10-2 overall. As a senior in 2013, Feiler started all 12 games at left tackle, earning first-team All-PSAC honors for the second consecutive year, along with D2Football.com first-team , Don Hansen's second-team , Associated Press third-team , and D2CCA All-Region first-team accolades. He was also selected for the East-West Shrine Game. His consistent play was instrumental in Bloomsburg's 10-2 record and PSAC championship, where the offensive line allowed 17 sacks over the season. Feiler concluded his having started 35 straight games across both guard and tackle positions. Following the 2013 season, Feiler prepared for the by participating in the in February 2014, where he recorded a time of 5.37 seconds, a 26.5-rep , and a broad jump of 103 inches, showcasing his size and strength despite his Division II background. He further improved several metrics at Bloomsburg's pro day in April 2014, including shuttle and three-cone times, which helped generate interest from scouts. Feiler graduated from Bloomsburg University in spring 2015 with a in history.

Professional career

Houston Texans

After going undrafted in the , Matt Feiler signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2014. He had previously participated in the East-West Shrine Game, providing exposure to scouts following his college career at Bloomsburg University. Feiler attended the Texans' rookie minicamp and that summer, impressing coaches enough to secure a spot on the team's 53-man roster initially before being waived on August 30, 2014, as part of final cuts. The following day, August 31, 2014, he was signed to the Texans' , where he spent the entire 2014 regular season without appearing in any games. During this time, Feiler focused on adapting to the professional level, including rigorous daily practices against top defensive talent to refine his technique as an offensive tackle. On September 4, 2015, after spending over a year on the practice squad, Feiler was waived by the Texans ahead of the new season. He did not play in any regular-season games during his tenure with Houston, using the experience to build foundational NFL skills and prepare for future opportunities.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Feiler joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 7, 2015, signing to their practice squad after his release from the Houston Texans. He spent the majority of the 2015 and 2016 seasons on the practice squad, including a brief promotion to the active roster in October 2016, before earning a permanent spot on the 53-man roster in 2017. In 2017, Feiler made his NFL debut, appearing in five games and earning his first career start at right tackle during a Week 9 victory over the . He solidified his role as a starter in 2018, playing in 11 games with 10 starts at right tackle, filling in effectively for the injured Marcus Gilbert. Feiler started all 16 games at right tackle in 2019, contributing to the Steelers' offensive line stability amid injuries. In 2020, he transitioned to left guard following Ramon Foster's retirement, starting all 13 regular-season games and one playoff contest in the role; over his four seasons with the team from 2017 to 2020, he appeared in 45 games and made 40 starts. The Steelers secured Feiler's services with a one-year contract extension in January 2018, prior to his restricted free agency. As a restricted free agent in 2020, he received a second-round tender valued at $3.259 million, which he signed in June, ensuring his return for the season. Feiler's performances highlighted his versatility and reliability, particularly in pass protection; in 2019, he allowed just two sacks in 995 offensive snaps at right tackle, earning praise for anchoring against elite edge rushers like the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald in a Week 10 win. In the 2020 AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Cleveland Browns—after activation from injured reserve—he started at left guard but was hampered by a holding penalty that contributed to a turnover in Pittsburgh's 48-37 loss.

Los Angeles Chargers

Feiler signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the as an unrestricted free agent on March 15, 2021, bringing positional versatility honed during his time with the . He quickly established himself as the starting left guard, appearing in 16 games with 16 starts in 2021 while allowing zero sacks and earning a overall grade of 75.3, reflecting strong pass protection. In 2022, Feiler started all 17 games at left guard, again surrendering no sacks en route to a 64.1 pass-blocking grade from PFF, though his run-blocking mark dipped to 50.0 amid the team's emphasis on protecting . His consistent presence helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just 39 sacks over the season—second-fewest in the —contributing to the Chargers' 10-7 record, first winning season since 2018, and wild-card playoff berth, where they fell 31-30 to the . Following two full seasons with 33 total starts, the Chargers released Feiler on March 14, 2023, to create $6.5 million in space ahead of the new league year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Following his release from the in March 2023, Feiler signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the on April 17, 2023, to bolster their interior offensive line depth. Feiler began the 2023 season as the starting left guard for , appearing in 13 games and starting the first six before a sidelined him for four consecutive contests from Weeks 8 to 11. Upon returning, he lost his starting role to due to a combination of the injury's aftermath and performance evaluations, shifting primarily to a rotational and backup capacity for the remainder of the season. In total, Feiler played 386 offensive snaps during the 2023 campaign, representing about 35% of ' total offensive plays. According to (PFF), his overall grade was 54.7, with a pass-blocking grade of 65.0 and a run-blocking grade of 52.2, reflecting solid protection in passing situations but challenges in the ground game. Feiler's signing was part of a broader offensive line overhaul for , which included drafting rookie and repositioning players like to right tackle, aimed at improving protection and establishing a run-first offensive identity under new coordinator . His veteran experience at guard contributed to early stability in the revamped unit, supporting the team's emphasis on ground control despite his later diminished role.

Retirement

Following the expiration of his one-year contract with the after the 2023 season, Matt Feiler retired from the in 2024, concluding a professional career that spanned 10 seasons. Over his tenure, Feiler appeared in 91 games with 79 starts across guard and tackle positions for the Houston Texans, , , and , accumulating a career approximate value of 37 but never earning a selection. He briefly referenced a injury from the 2023 season that caused him to miss multiple games. Feiler attributed his retirement in part to family priorities, noting that he relocated to his hometown of , in June 2024 after his daughter began school—a factor that had previously kept him in Tampa for an extra year. He also expressed career satisfaction, reflecting on taking the 2024 season off, missing the intensity of the game, and feeling ready to transition while giving back to the sport. In his reflections, Feiler conveyed deep gratitude to the organizations and mentors who supported his journey, especially during his six seasons with the Steelers, where he developed from an undrafted into a reliable starter.

Personal life and post-NFL activities

Family and marriage

Feiler married Julie Carpenter, originally from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 2018, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The couple welcomed their daughter, Emery Feiler, on May 3, 2020, during Feiler's tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The family resides in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near Feiler's hometown of Strasburg. Throughout his NFL years, Feiler balanced family responsibilities with extensive travel and training schedules, often highlighting the role of his wife and daughter as key sources of motivation and stability. Feiler, who majored in at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, has expressed ongoing interest in non-athletic pursuits such as historical studies, which provide a contrast to the physical intensity of football.

Coaching career

Following his retirement from the NFL in 2024, Matt Feiler transitioned into coaching, joining his , Lampeter-Strasburg High School, in , as an assistant coach. He was initially approached by Victor Ridenour during a Millersville University team camp in the summer of 2024 to help oversee the offensive line for a session, which led to his official hiring later that year alongside fellow assistant Bill Knapp. Feiler's primary responsibilities include coaching the offensive line, emphasizing techniques such as footwork, hand placement, and mental fortitude, while adapting his decade of professional experience to the high school level. He also assists with the defensive line, sharing insights from his tenure with players who have shown discipline and enthusiasm in response to his guidance. No prior formal coaching experience or certifications are documented for Feiler, marking this as his first coaching role following his career. In his first season in 2025, Feiler contributed to the Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers' performance, helping the team achieve a 7-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4, finishing third in their division. Players, including senior lineman Collin Shelley, have praised Feiler's intelligence and approachability, noting how his presence initially surprised them but quickly earned respect as "Coach Feiler." Feiler's motivations for the role stem from a desire to return to his Pennsylvania roots and mentor young athletes in the sport that shaped his career, stating, "This is where it all started for me," and expressing commitment to coaching as long as opportunities arise. He has described the transition as fulfilling, allowing him to "give back" after missing the game post-retirement.

References

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