:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49896447/usa-today-8585672.0.jpg)
Guard Matt Rotheram was a three-year starter at Pitt but despite being an All-ACC Second Team lineman in his final year with the Panthers, he went unselected in last year's NFL Draft.
Still, he had plenty of opportunities afterwards with reportedly half the league interested in him. He narrowed his choices down to the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, and ultimately chose the Packers.
Rotheram signed with the team but was eventually cut before the season. While he didn't make the club's 53-man roster, he did end up on the practice squad. Rotheram also got some great news late in the year as his salary was increased to the rookie minimum.
Essentially, while he wasn't a member on the official roster, he was still getting paid like it. As SB Nation's Green Bay site puts it, teams will occasionally pay their practice players a full salary if they want to keep them from joining another franchise. With all of the post-draft interest in Rotheram, it's possible that someone else would give him a look.
The increase in salary shows a desire to hang onto him and should make him a strong candidate for a roster shot this fall. Also helping his chances for a spot on the 53-man roster? Some added responsibilities, as Rotheram is apparently putting work in at center this offseason:
The Packers already appear to be planning for life after this season. Not only did Thompson trade up to draft Spriggs, but offensive line coach James Campen added center to second-year guard Matt Rotheram's responsibilities. Rotheram's ability to play all three interior positions could set him up to be Tretter's eventual replacement.
Rotheram might not be a lock to get on the team's 53-man roster this year but he'll have a shot - his pay raise is a testament to that and the ability to play all three interior spots on the line will show off his versatility - an incredibly valuable commodity.
Be sure to join Cardiac Hill's Facebook page and follow us on Twitter@PittPantherBlog for our regular updates on Pitt athletics. Follow the author and founder/editor @AnsonWhaley.