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Max Pircher
Max Pircher
Max Pircher
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Maximilian Pircher (born September 7, 1999) is an Italian professional American football offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He began his professional career with the Swarco Raiders Tirol in the Austrian Football League in 2019 and signed with the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) in 2021 as part of the International Player Pathway program. Pircher has also been a member of the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.

Key Information

Early career

[edit]

Pircher started playing and developing football for the Hildesheim Invaders club in Germany.

Professional career

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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 7+5⁄8 in
(2.02 m) 		309 lb
(140 kg) 		33+1⁄2 in
(0.85 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 5.57 s 1.96 s 3.32 s 4.78 s 8.22 s 31.5 in
(0.80 m)		 8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)		 22 reps
All values from Pro Day[1]

Swarco Raiders Tirol

[edit]

Pircher's pro football career began in 2019 with the Swarco Raiders Tirol in the Austrian Football League (AFL). He played right tackle, eventually winning the 2019 Central European Football League (CEFL) and the 2019 Austrian Bowl (AFL) championships with the Raiders.

Los Angeles Rams

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In May 2021, the Los Angeles Rams signed Pircher as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, making him the second member of the Tirol Raiders to join the NFL through the pathway program after Sandro Platzgummer.[2] Pircher was a member of the Ram's practice squad for two seasons, including their victory in Super Bowl LVI, making Pircher a Super Bowl champion.[3]

Detroit Lions

[edit]

On May 29, 2023, Pircher was signed by the Detroit Lions as part of the 2023 International Player Pathway Program.[4] He was released on August 29 during final roster cuts and signed to the practice squad the next day.[5] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent when his practice squad contract expired.[6]

Seattle Seahawks

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On April 9, 2024, Pircher was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.[7] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad, but was released a few days later.[8][9][10]

Washington Commanders

[edit]

Pircher was signed to the Washington Commanders' practice squad on January 1, 2025.[11] He was released on January 7 and re-signed the following day.[12][13]

Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

Pircher was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on August 27, 2025.[14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Max Pircher

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Maximilian Pircher (born September 7, 1999) is an Italian-born professional offensive tackle who stands at 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 300 pounds. He currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the (NFL), having signed to their on August 27, 2025. Raised in Bressanone, , near , Pircher grew up participating in a variety of sports including soccer, , swimming, skiing, and climbing, but did not encounter until his late teens. At age 19 in 2018, he was introduced to the sport by a high school teacher and attended a game of the Swarco Raiders in , , which ignited his interest. He tried out and joined the Swarco Raiders that year, playing one season under coaches Shuan Fatah and Lee Rowland, during which the team won the championship. In 2019, Pircher was called up to the Italian national team, contributing to victories over and Switzerland, before moving to the Hildesheim Invaders in later that year to further develop his skills. Pircher entered the through the league's International Player Pathway (IPP) program in January 2021, training at in and participating in the of 's Pro Day. He signed with the as an undrafted in May 2021 and spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on their , earning a ring as part of the LVI-winning team. Pircher continued his career on practice squads with the in 2023, the and in 2024, before joining the in 2025. Throughout his professional journey, he has remained a key figure in the 's efforts to globalize the sport, particularly in .

Early life

Background in Italy

Max Pircher was born on September 7, 1999, in Bressanone (also known as ), a town in the autonomous province of , . is a bilingual region where German is the predominant spoken by the majority of residents, alongside Italian, reflecting its historical ties to the before becoming part of after . Pircher grew up in this culturally diverse alpine area with no prior involvement in . From a young age, Pircher's parents encouraged participation in outdoor and team sports, fostering his physical development amid the mountainous terrain of . He engaged in , , , soccer, and , activities that built his agility, endurance, and collaborative skills—qualities later essential for football. Soccer and handball, in particular, honed his footwork and body control, while the region's emphasis on alpine pursuits like and contributed to his strength and balance. These experiences provided a solid athletic foundation, though they were far removed from the gridiron. Pircher's exposure to American football was minimal during his childhood, limited mostly to occasional media glimpses, with no organized youth participation in the sport. It was not until age 18 or 19, during a high school presentation featuring a video of the game, that he first encountered it seriously; this sparked his interest, leading to a brief trip across the border to watch a match in Austria. With no family background in football, his late entry at 19 represented a significant shift from his Italian roots toward an international athletic pursuit.

Entry into American football

At age 19 in 2018, Max Pircher developed a casual interest in after attending a Swarco Raiders Tirol game in , , accompanied by his high school teacher and former player Matteo Braghini, who introduced him to the sport's physicality and strategy. Motivated by the limited infrastructure and opportunities for in compared to more established , Pircher decided to relocate from his hometown of Bressanone to to pursue competitive play. Pircher's first exposure came through the Swarco Raiders' open tryouts and "Rookie Mondays" sessions, designed for athletes transitioning from other sports, where his imposing 6-foot-7 frame and athletic foundation from years of and soccer immediately caught the attention of coaches despite his complete lack of football experience. Starting as an offensive tackle, he quickly immersed himself in basic training, focusing on fundamentals like blocking techniques and footwork. Early challenges included mastering the complex rules, adapting to the sport's high physical demands, and building strength for lineman duties, positioning him initially as a raw but promising talent with significant potential for growth. His prior athletic background in provided a brief advantage in coordination and endurance, aiding his rapid initial progress.

European career

Swarco Raiders Tirol

Max Pircher joined the Swarco Raiders Tirol in , , in late 2018 after attending a team game with his Braghini, who introduced him to the ; motivated by the experience, Pircher tried out through the club's "Rookie Mondays" program led by coach Shuan Fatah. At age 19 and with no prior experience beyond , he transitioned to the offensive line, experimenting with positions like and before settling at right tackle. His rapid adaptation allowed him to earn a spot on the roster ahead of the 2019 season. In 2019, Pircher secured the starting right tackle role for his first full professional season, anchoring the offensive line across the (AFL) and (CEFL) schedules. He played all snaps in key games, providing crucial protection for Shelton and enabling effective run blocking that supported the team's explosive offense, including notable downfield blocks during playoff runs. Pircher's contributions were instrumental in maintaining line stability, allowing the Raiders to achieve a perfect 16-0 record that season. Under the guidance of offensive line coach Lee Rowland, Pircher refined his technique, leveraging his handball-honed agility to develop football-specific footwork and pass-protection skills through daily drills focused on mobility and leverage. This growth helped the Swarco Raiders Tirol secure the 2019 Austrian Bowl XXXV championship with a 42-34 victory over the Dacia Vikings Vienna, as well as the CEFL championship after defeating the Milano Seamen 27-14 in the final. Pircher's breakout performance in these triumphs marked his emergence as a foundational player in European professional football.

Hildesheim Invaders

In the fall of 2019, Max Pircher signed a contract with the Hildesheim Invaders of Germany's (GFL), the country's premier competition, following the departure of his former coaches from the Swarco Raiders Tirol. Shuan and offensive line coach Lee Rowland, both experienced American coaches with prior success in , recruited Pircher to continue his development as a starting offensive tackle for the 2020 season. This move positioned him in one of Europe's most competitive domestic leagues, known for its high level of play and professional structure compared to the . The 2020 GFL season was ultimately cancelled due to the , preventing competitive games but allowing Pircher to focus on intensive training and skill refinement. As the designated starting offensive tackle, he worked daily with Rowland on pass protection and run blocking techniques, adapting to the disciplined, technique-oriented style of German football that emphasized precision and physicality. This period of preparation in a higher-caliber environment built on his confidence from prior successes in , honing his fundamentals amid the disruptions. No game statistics, such as sacks allowed or pancakes, were recorded due to the season's absence, but his consistent performance in practices drew attention from NFL scouts. Pircher's time with the Invaders provided crucial exposure to international coaching expertise and elevated European competition, directly preparing him for the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. While balancing football training with university studies in , he was invited to the IPP in late 2020, with scouts noting his athletic potential and rapid progress under Fatah and Rowland's guidance. This single season in marked a pivotal step in his professional maturation, bridging his European club experience toward an NFL opportunity.

Italian national team

Pircher earned a spot on the Italian national team, known as the Blue Team, in 2019 following his breakout rookie season with the Swarco Raiders Tirol, where he started as right tackle and helped secure the championship. As an offensive lineman, he contributed to Italy's efforts in the 2019 qualifiers, a series of matches against other European nations that qualified the Blue Team for the tournament's final phase after a 22-year absence. During these international games, Pircher helped anchor the offensive line for a squad that demonstrated defensive prowess, conceding just 14 points across victories over and in the qualifiers. Representing —a where remains a niche compared to soccer—provided Pircher with early exposure to high-stakes competition against regional rivals, underscoring the challenges and pride of promoting the game on a continental level. His national team experience significantly boosted Pircher's visibility in European circles, directly contributing to his recruitment by the in 2020 and his subsequent selection for the NFL's International Player Pathway Program.

NFL career

International Player Pathway Program

In late 2020, while playing for the Invaders in , Max Pircher was invited to join the NFL's International Player Pathway Program (IPP), a initiative established in 2017 to identify and develop elite international athletes for potential NFL opportunities. This selection marked a pivotal transition for Pircher, who relocated to , to participate in the program's intensive training at , where he joined a cohort of 11 international prospects. The 10-week IPP regimen focused on rigorous workouts, position-specific coaching tailored to Pircher's role as an offensive tackle, and skill development to bridge the gap between European and NFL-level play. At , Pircher trained alongside current and prospective NFL players under the guidance of strength and positional coaches, including NFL International's , who noted Pircher's initial rawness but praised his rapid progress in fundamentals like footwork and blocking technique. The program culminated in a Pro Day event at the in April 2021, where Pircher's physical attributes—standing at 6-foot-7½ inches and weighing between 300 and 315 pounds—were showcased to NFL scouts through drills emphasizing his size, mobility, and hand-eye coordination. As a late starter to , having only begun playing at age 19, and with English not as his primary language, Pircher faced significant challenges adapting to the program's demands, including technical terminology and cultural nuances of the sport. Mentorship from NFL scouts like Cook and interactions with program provided crucial support, helping him overcome these hurdles through patient instruction and film study. Upon completion, Pircher earned designation as an international player, granting him exemption from standard roster limits and paving the way for his first contract with the in May 2021. This status underscored the IPP's role in facilitating his entry into the league's ecosystem, distinct from traditional domestic pathways.

Los Angeles Rams

Pircher signed with the as an undrafted international free agent on May 1, 2021, through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, which served as his entry into the league. He was added to the team's 90-man offseason roster and participated in , where he focused on adapting to NFL schemes. Following the 2021 preseason, Pircher was signed to the ' practice squad on September 1, 2021, and remained there for the entire 2021 season, recording no regular-season snaps. His role involved contributing to team preparation through scrimmages, film study, and providing depth at offensive tackle during practices and sessions. He was re-signed to the practice squad on August 31, 2022, for the ensuing season, continuing his behind-the-scenes support for the offensive line unit without appearing in regular-season games. As a practice squad member, Pircher was part of the ' Super Bowl LVI championship team in 2022, helping maintain line depth during their successful playoff run. During his tenure, Pircher reflected on the challenges of adapting to American culture and the rigorous professional demands of the , noting it was his first visit to the and that he received support from teammates and coaches in adjusting to life in . He expressed honor in representing and aimed to inspire other international players by demonstrating that dedication could lead to opportunities. Pircher was waived by the on March 13, 2023.

Detroit Lions

Pircher signed with the on May 22, 2023, through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, replacing Australian Patrick Murtagh who had stepped away due to a medical issue. During , he competed as part of the fourth-string offensive line unit, focusing on development in a competitive environment that included undrafted rookies and veterans vying for depth roles. He appeared briefly in preseason games, logging two snaps at left tackle in the opener against the on August 11 and three snaps in the finale against the on August 25, providing scouts with limited but observable evaluations of his pass protection and run blocking in live action. On August 29, 2023, Pircher was waived as the Lions trimmed their roster to the 53-player limit ahead of the . He was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, August 30, exempt from counting against the standard 16-player limit as an international pathway participant. Throughout the 2023 season, Pircher maintained a developmental role on the practice squad, contributing to offensive line drills and providing depth during a year marked by injuries to key starters like center and tackle . His prior experience with the helped build foundational knowledge as he adjusted to the Lions' physical, run-oriented scheme under head coach . Pircher was released from the practice squad on February 5, 2024, entering free agency after the Lions opted not to tender him a reserve/futures contract.

Seattle Seahawks

On April 9, 2024, the signed offensive tackle Max Pircher as a following his release from the , adding depth to their offensive line unit. During and the preseason, Pircher received opportunities to compete but saw no offensive snaps in the three exhibition games, focusing instead on practice reps to develop within the team's system. Pircher's experience with zone-blocking concepts from prior NFL exposure aligned with the Seahawks' scheme under offensive coordinator , allowing him to contribute in developmental roles during camp. Head coach praised Pircher's work ethic, noting, "Max is a great guy. He works his tail off. The guys love him," highlighting his integration into the team environment. As part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, Pircher benefited from 2024 roster rules permitting teams an exemption for one such player on the , enabling a 17th spot beyond the standard 16-player limit. He was waived by the Seahawks on August 27, 2024, during final roster cuts, then signed to their the following day on August 28. However, his stint proved brief, as he was released from the on September 3, 2024.

Washington Commanders

Following his release from the , Max Pircher signed with the ' on January 1, 2025. This move came amid offensive line injuries for the Commanders at the end of the 2024 regular season, including an ankle injury to center in late December 2024. Pircher's time with the Commanders proved unstable from the outset, as he was released from the practice squad just six days later on January 7 to accommodate Ndubuisi. The team immediately re-signed him the following day on January 8, highlighting the fluid roster management typical of the franchise's ongoing rebuilding efforts under Dan Quinn. Throughout the 2025 offseason and , Pircher's role remained confined to duties, where he helped bolster depth without any elevations to the active roster. His presence exemplified the Commanders' to integrate International Player Pathway participants during a transitional period focused on fortifying the offensive line for future contention. Pircher was later released by the Commanders prior to the 2025 final roster cuts.

Minnesota Vikings

Pircher signed with the Minnesota Vikings' on August 27, 2025, through the International Player Pathway program, following his release from the . During , he earned reps at offensive tackle, contributing to the unit's development amid a competitive depth chart under head coach Kevin O'Connell. Although he did not appear in any preseason games, Pircher has maintained an active role in the team's weekly practice sessions, providing opposition for the starting offensive line in a scheme emphasizing pass protection. As of November 20, 2025, Pircher remains on the Vikings' practice squad, where he occupies the international exemption spot that grants teams an additional roster position beyond the standard 16-player limit for qualifying International Player Pathway participants. No elevations to the active roster have occurred during the 2025 regular season to date. However, with multiple offensive line injuries plaguing the team—including center Ryan Kelly's placement on injured reserve due to a concussion in October—Pircher's availability positions him as a potential call-up to address depth needs in the coming weeks. This opportunity aligns with Pircher's ongoing pursuit of an active roster spot in O'Connell's pass-oriented offense, following a pattern of practice squad assignments across prior NFL teams.

References

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  2. https://www.vikings.com/team/players-roster/max-pircher/
  3. https://www.therams.com/news/how-northern-italy-native-max-pircher-became-an-nfl-caliber-player
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  7. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PircMa00.htm
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  9. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/max-pirchers-unlikely-nfl-journey-continues-with-seahawks/
  10. https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/maximilian-pircher-the-rapid-rise-of-italys-next-great-lineman/
  11. https://www.therams.com/news/max-pircher-90-man-roster-international-player-pathway-program
  12. https://betsapi.com/t/715653/Raiders-Tirol
  13. https://www.european-league.com/2019-schedule-standings/
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  53. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/injuries/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings
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