J.C. Hassenauer, a center, is reportedly signed by the New York Giants.
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After losing backup center Nick Gates and starting center Jon Feliciano to free agency, the New York Giants are reportedly in negotiations with J.C. Hassenauer, a former backup center for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hassenauer, an Alabama native who was previously an undrafted free agent, joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2018. He joined the Steelers in 2020 and has played in 45 regular season games as well as two postseason games in the last three years. Of those games, he started seven. Over his career, Hassanauer has played 147 snaps at left guard and 545 snaps at center.
The Giants’ center position is severely lacking in experience following the losses of Feliciano and Gates. In 2022, Ben Bredeson made 30 snaps at that position for the Giants. In 2021, Jack Anderson made 50 center snaps for the Philadelphia Eagles. Though he has practiced there, Shane Lemieux has never actually filled the position during a game.
It is anticipated that the Giants will select a player at this position in the NFL Draft of 2023. At the recent NFL owner’s meetings, General Manager Joe Schoen stated the following regarding centers.
We prepared backup plans, according to Schoen. “Jack Anderson was with us in Buffalo; we claimed him. He performs well in the center. We feel really comfortable having Ben Bredeson play center. And before the (toe) injury occurred last year, Shane Lemieux was also playing it.
Therefore, there will be some guys there who will also engage in combat. The draft is still available. There are still enough guys on the streets for us to take into consideration. Our next performance is in September. We stay in camp through August. Guy could be cut after camp. There might be casualties from caps. Thus, please be patient. We’ll keep searching. Jack Anderson, Ben Bredeson, and Shane have our trust that They are able to play center and snap the ball for us.
