Matt Feiler
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Matt Feiler
| image = Matt Feiler Browns vs Steelers (49093262988) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Feiler with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Guard
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|7|7}}
| birth_place = Strasburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 330
| high_school = Lampeter-Strasburg
(Lampeter, Pennsylvania)
| college = Bloomsburg
| undraftedyear = 2014
| pastteams =
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})*
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2023}})
| status =
| statseason = 2023
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 91
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 79
| pfr = FeilMa00
}}
Matt Feiler (born July 7, 1992) is an American professional football guard. He previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also played baseball in high school before deciding to play college football at Bloomsburg.{{cite web |author=NFL.com |title=NFL Player Profile:Matt Feiler |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/mattfeiler/2550561/profile |access-date=December 17, 2015}}
Early life
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.[https://buhuskies.com/sports/football/roster/matt-feiler/4138 "Matt Feiler"] Bloomsburg Huskies Profile. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
Feiler attended the same high school as former Major League Baseball player Jeff Bianchi and musician James Wolpert.[https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-ol-matt-feiler-takes-road-less-traveled-to-nfl-career/ "Steelers OL Matt Feiler takes road less traveled to NFL career"] Bombulie, Jonathan. Trib Live.com. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
College career
Feiler committed to Bloomsburg University because he received better scholarship opportunities.{{Cite web |title=Five Things to Know: Matt Feiler |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/five-things-to-know-matt-feiler |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=www.chargers.com |language=en-US}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://buhuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2196|title=Bloomburg Huskie's player profile:Matt Feiler|access-date=December 17, 2015}}
Feiler has stated his NFL role model was former Bloomsburg and NFL player Jahri Evans.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 5 7/8
| weight = 330
| dash = 5.37
| ten split = 1.88
| twenty split = 3.11
| shuttle = 4.86
| cone drill = 8.13
| vertical = 26.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 7
| bench = 36
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32
| hand span = 9 1/2
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web |title=Matt Feiler Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/matt-feiler/32004645-4952-6303-4908-a055d599e907 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Draft Scout Matt Feiler College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=129185&DraftYear=2014 |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Houston Texans=
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.{{cite web |title=Lampeter-Strasburg grad Matt Feiler inks free-agent deal with Houston Texans |url=https://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/05/lampeter-strasburg_grad_matt_f.html |access-date=February 8, 2019 |website=pennlive.com |last=Rinehart |first=Josh |date=May 10, 2014}} Throughout training camp, Feiler competed against Tyson Clabo, Anthony Dima, Bryan Witzmann, and Will Yeatman for a roster spot as a backup offensive tackle.{{cite web |title=Texans add o-line depth with Tyson Clabo |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/texans-add-o-line-depth-with-tyson-clabo-13294446 |access-date=February 9, 2019 |website=houstontexans.com |date=July 25, 2014}} 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.{{cite web |title=Houston Texans: Transactions (2014) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/team/transactions/2014 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |website=houstontexans.com}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/matt-feiler/|title=Pittsburgh Steelers:Matt Feiler contract|access-date=December 17, 2015|author=Spotrac.com}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/05/lampeter-strasburg_grad_matt_f.html|title=Lampeter-Strasburg grad Matt Feiler inks free agent deal with Houston Texans|website=PennLive.com|access-date=May 10, 2014|author=Jeff Reinhart}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On September 7, 2015, Feiler was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers and signed to their practice squad.{{cite web|url=http://lancasteronline.com/lampeterstrasburg/sports/lampeter-strasburg-product-matt-feiler-signs-with-steelers/article_bd3c9a16-5654-11e5-a09c-dfb0b54288da.html|title=Lampeter-Strasburg product, Matt Feiler, signs with Steelers|work=Lancaster Online|author=Ed Gruver|access-date=September 8, 2015}} 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.{{cite web|title=Steelers cut to 53, trade for CB|url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-cut-to-53-trade-for-CB/0d848e43-a776-4b3c-98da-6393b73ee428|last=Labriola|first=Bob|website=Steelers.com|date=September 3, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812060928/http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-cut-to-53-trade-for-CB/0d848e43-a776-4b3c-98da-6393b73ee428|archive-date=August 12, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Steelers add 10 to practice squad|url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-add-10-to-practice-squad/eefc345b-76d3-4933-8247-dd537776bd7f|website=Steelers.com|date=September 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011232620/http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/Steelers-add-10-to-practice-squad/eefc345b-76d3-4933-8247-dd537776bd7f|archive-date=October 11, 2017}} On October 8, 2016, he was promoted to the Steelers' active roster after Harris was placed on injured-reserve.{{cite web|title=Feiler, Shabazz promoted; Golson, Harris to IR|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/feiler-shabazz-promoted-golson-harris-to-ir-17842367|website=Steelers.com|date=October 8, 2016}} On October 17, 2016, he was released by the Steelers and was re-signed back to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-mihalik-to-active-roster-17906981|title=Steelers sign Mihalik to Active Roster|website=Steelers.com|date=October 18, 2016}}{{cite web | url=https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/article/steelers-resign-ol-matt-feiler-on-wednesday-48357101/ | title=Steelers resign OL Matt Feiler on Wednesday | publisher=CBS Sports Digital | work=247sports.com | date=October 19, 2016 | author=DeArdo, Bryan}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on January 24, 2017.{{cite web|title=11 players signed to Reserve/Future contracts|url=http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/11-players-signed-to-ReserveFuture-contracts/a171abb2-df36-4b4e-a52c-370eaec85887|website=Steelers.com|date=January 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912004234/http://www.steelers.com/news/transactions/article-1/11-players-signed-to-ReserveFuture-contracts/a171abb2-df36-4b4e-a52c-370eaec85887|archive-date=September 12, 2017}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/198/PIT| title=Ourlads.com: Pittsburgh Steeler's depth chart: 08/01/2017| access-date=October 11, 2017| website=ourlads.com}} 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.{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Matt Feiler (2017) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/mattfeiler/2550561/gamelogs?season=2017 |access-date=February 9, 2019 |website=NFL.com}} 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.{{cite web|title=Feiler signs contract extension|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/feiler-signs-contract-extension-20324183|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=January 31, 2018}} Feiler competed against B.J. Finney and Jerald Hawkins to be the primary backup offensive tackle after Chris Hubbard departed in free agency.{{cite web |title=How does the loss of Chris Hubbard impact the Steelers depth chart? |url=https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/14/how-does-the-loss-of-chris-hubbard-impact-the-steelers-depth-chart/ |access-date=February 9, 2019 |website=steelerswire.usatoday.com |date=March 14, 2018}} 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.{{cite news |author=Varley, Teresa |title=Feiler, Hilton sign RFA tenders |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/feiler-hilton-sign-rfa-tenders |website=Steelers.com |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2020}} 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.{{cite web|title=Roster moves continue for the Steelers|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/roster-moves-continue-for-the-steelers-x9731|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=December 14, 2020}} He was activated from injured reserve on January 9, 2021.{{cite news |author=Varley, Teresa |title=Steelers make moves ahead of playoff game |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-moves-ahead-of-playoff-game |website=Steelers.com |date=January 9, 2021 |access-date=February 16, 2021}}
=Los Angeles Chargers=
On March 17, 2021, Feiler signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.{{Cite web|title=Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler Agree to Terms with Bolts|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/corey-linsley-matt-feiler-agree-to-terms-free-agency-2021|access-date=March 17, 2021|website=Chargers.com}} 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=
On April 17, 2023, Feiler was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Scott | title=Bucs Add Experienced Starter Matt Feiler to OL Group | website=Buccaneers.com| date=2023-04-17 | url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/matt-feiler-signed-free-agency-tampa-bay-2023 | access-date=2025-05-31}} 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.
Personal life
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.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://buhuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4138 Bloomsburg Huskies bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Feilet, Matt}}
Category:American football offensive linemen
Category:Bloomsburg Huskies football players
Category:Players of American football from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Category:People from Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Category:Los Angeles Chargers players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Houston Texans players