Center J.C. Hassenauer to Sign with New York Giants

Former Alabama and Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer signed with the New York Giants on Thursday, per multiple reports.

Reports: We have agreed to terms with OL J.C. Hassenauer

Details: https://t.co/RReFb3XtZJ pic.twitter.com/cEObPuBU8E
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 6, 2023

The 2018 undrafted free agent has only started in seven games, but he has not allowed any sacks in his 545 career regular season snaps. A fresh start on a new team could potentially give Hassenauer more time on the field, and Giants head coach Brian Daboll could be open to giving it a try.

Daboll became the offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2017 and was a large factor in managing the Crimson Tide's 2018 CFP National Championship run. Hassenauer was a starter on an offensive line loaded with NFL talent, including Jonah Williams, Bradley Bozeman, Lester Cotton and Ross Piersbacher.

Ben Bredeson is the only other center listed on the Giants depth chart, but missed most of last season with multiple injuries. With only those two in the depth chart, New York could go for another center in the upcoming NFL Draft.

If Hassenauer wins the position battle, he'll be on an offensive line led by former Georgia Bulldog and Second Team All-Pro, left tackle Andrew Thomas. He'll also be joining fellow Crimson Tide product right tackle Evan Neal and safeties Xavier McKinney and Landon Collins in New York.

The Giants are an up-and-coming team who made a surprising run to the NFL Playoffs last season, when they were projected to be in the bottom tier.

Last season was Daboll's first year as the head coach, and he won the AP Coach of the Year Award at the NFL Honors. Training Hassenauer this offseason to continue his no-sack streak could make the Giants offensive line one of the best in the NFL.

See also:

Bama in the NFL Database

All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL
Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players Selected in the NFL Draft