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Donald Parham Donald Parham Signs with Pittsburgh
Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 2:43 PM
Parham signed a one-year contract with the Steelers on Friday.
Analysis: Parham went undrafted in 2019 but caught on with the Chargers a year later and ended up starting 23 of his 47 regular-season games from 2020 to 2023. He's the tallest tight end in the league, but perhaps also the thinnest, listed at 6-foot-8, 237 pounds. The Chargers put him to use near the goal line, with Parham recording 11 TDs among his 67 career receptions. He was released in August and then spent part of the season on Denver's practice squad, never appearing in a game. Parham will turn 28 shortly before the start of the 2025 campaign and has his work cut out for him to earn a roster spot. |
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Connor Heyward Connor Heyward Sees role diminished
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 2:09 PM
Heyward appeared in 17 regular-season games for the Steelers in 2024, making six catches (on eight targets) for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Heyward didn't get to see the field as much this past season as he did during his sophomore campaign. The Michigan State product saw his offensive snaps drop from 383 to 194, while his catch and yardage total also fell from the 23 receptions and 167 yards he totaled in 2023. As long as Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington remain healthy for the Steelers, Heyward's opportunities in their offense will likely remain limited. |
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MyCole Pruitt MyCole Pruitt Plays small role in 2024
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 2:04 PM
Pruitt appeared in 12 regular-season games for Pittsburgh in 2024, making six catches (on 10 targets) for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Pruitt suffered a multi-week absence due to a knee injury, leading to the lowest reception and yardage totals he's posted since 2020. The 31-year-old is set to be an unrestricted free agent this spring and with Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth likely entrenched as the top two tight ends for the Steelers, it's unclear if Pruitt is likely to be brought back, or if the team may look elsewhere for depth at the position. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Rookie season spent on sidelines
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 1:53 PM
Wilson (hamstring) suited up for one regular-season game in 2024 for the Steelers, playing only five offensive snaps and not getting a target.
Analysis: Wilson's season wasn't what was expected when he was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, as the Michigan product suffered an ankle injury in training camp that derailed his season. Even after he recovered, Wilson was a healthy scratch in Week 3 through 5 before making his debut in Week 6 against the Raiders. A hamstring injury then landed him on injured reserve, which is where he ultimately finished the campaign. |
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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Sees little action in 2024
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 1:47 PM
Skowronek appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Steelers in 2024, making five catches (on five targets) for 69 yards.
Analysis: Skowronek's 10 appearances and five receptions were career lows. The former Ram joined Pittsburgh in mid-September after failing to make the Texans' 53-man roster out of training camp. An early season shoulder injury forced a six-game IR stint, while a hip injury late in the season was cause for another missed contest. Skowronek is set to be an unrestricted free agent. |
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Kyle Allen Kyle Allen Operates as third wheel
Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 1:38 PM
Allen appeared in one regular-season game for the Steelers in 2024, completing his only pass attempt for 19 yards.
Analysis: Allen saw little action behind Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The team's quarterback situation for 2025 is up in the air, but Allen is set to become an unrestricted free agent and it's unclear what the chances are that he will be brought back. |
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Mike Williams Mike Williams Scores once across 18 appearances
Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 12:38 PM
Williams hauled in nine of 13 targets for 132 yards and one touchdown across nine regular-season appearances with the Steelers. He also posted a 12-166-0 receiving line on 21 targets in nine games with the Jets.
Analysis: Williams also had one 37-yard catch (on two targets) in the Steelers' wild-card round loss to Baltimore. The 30-year-old wideout failed to emerge as a reliable contributor in either New York, where he kicked off the 2024 campaign, or Pittsburgh, who acquired him via trade in early November in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Now set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Williams will hope to find a landing spot in free agency where he'll get a chance to prove himself as a potential starting option. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Pittsburgh to bring back one QB?
Mon, Jan 27, 2025, 2:12 PM
Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II said Monday that it's his "preference" and will be "a priority" to re-sign one of Fields or Russell Wilson this offseason, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Rooney II said it's "probably unlikely" that both Wilson and Fields will return to Pittsburgh for the 2025 campaign, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, but it sounds like a strong possibility that one of the two signal-callers will get another opportunity to prove themselves as the team's long-term starter during the 2025 campaign. Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record to kick off the regular season, though upon being replaced by Wilson under center Week 7 he never got another chance to compete for the starting gig, even though the veteran closed out the year with five straight losses. Pittsburgh's choice between re-signing Fields or Wilson figures to be heavily influenced by the relative interest both receive from other teams on the free agent market. |
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Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Competing with Fields to re-sign?
Mon, Jan 27, 2025, 1:53 PM
Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II said Monday that it's "probably unlikely" the team brings back both Wilson and Justin Fields this offseason, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Pryor reports that Pittsburgh will likely work to bring back one of Wilson or Fields on a one-year contract this offseason, but it sounds like the team isn't considering re-signing both players. The comments made by Rooney II don't necessarily preclude both Wilson and Fields walking as free agents, though Mark Kaboly of 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh reports the team owner said re-signing one of the two signal-callers ""will give us the best opportunity to move forward." As the leader of Pittsburgh's offense, Wilson closed out the season with five consecutive losses, including a wild-card round playoff exit versus Baltimore. The interest he draws as a free agent relative to Fields could ultimately be the deciding factor in dictating which quarterback gets another chance to prove themselves with the Steelers during the 2025 campaign. |
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Jonathan Ward Jonathan Ward Getting another opportunity
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 11:52 AM
Ward signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on Monday.
Analysis: Ward initially joined Pittsburgh's practice squad at the end of August after not being able to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. The 27-year-old then shuttled between the active roster, practice squad, and free agency. He ultimately appeared in four regular-season games for the Steelers this season, finishing with five carries for 22 yards. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Role grows in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:38 PM
Washington secured 19 of 25 targets for 200 yards and a touchdown over 17 regular-season appearances with the Steelers in 2024.
Analysis: Washington's production improved slightly in 2024 after he secured seven of 10 targets for 61 yards over 17 regular-season appearances as a rookie last year. However, the 23-year-old wasn't a reliable fantasy option, recording double-digit receiving yards in just six appearances and being held without a catch in four of the final five games of the regular season. Pat Freiermuth signed a four-year contract extension with the Steelers ahead of the 2024 season, and as long as he remains healthy next season, it seems unlikely that Washington will have much fantasy potential. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Minimal work to close out 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:34 PM
Fields failed to complete his lone pass attempt and played two snaps in the Steelers' 28-14 loss to the Ravens this past Saturday in the wild-card round.
Analysis: During the regular season, Fields completed 106 of 161 pass attempts for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and an interception while rushing 62 times for 289 yards and five touchdowns over 10 appearances. He began the season as the team's starter while Russell Wilson recovered from a preseason injury and led the Steelers to a 4-2 start, but Fields topped 200 passing yards in just two of those appearances. The Steelers turned to Wilson as their starter afterward, and Fields played just 12 offensive snaps over the remainder of the regular season. While Pittsburgh's record with Fields as the starting quarterback was encouraging, the 2021 first-round pick enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and could have some trouble finding a guaranteed starting job. |
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Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Limited production in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:28 PM
Patterson rushed 32 times for 135 yards while securing 12 of 14 targets for 80 yards and a touchdown across 13 regular-season appearances with the Steelers in 2024.
Analysis: Patterson began the regular season on a high note, racking up double-digit yards in three of the first four weeks. However, he missed the next four games due to an ankle injury and didn't generate nearly as much production upon his return. He played single-digit snaps on offense in each of the team's final five regular-season games and was limited exclusively to work on special teams in Pittsburgh's wild-card loss to the Ravens. The 2013 first-rounder still has one more year left on his contract with the Steelers after signing a two-year, $6 million contract with the team in March. While Najee Harris will be an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and Jaylen Warren will be a restricted free agent, Patterson expressed displeasure with his postseason role following the team's loss to the Ravens, so it's unclear whether he'll see an uptick in work next year if he remains with the team. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Takes step forward in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:14 PM
Austin secured 36 of 58 targets for 548 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances with the Steelers in 2024.
Analysis: Although Austin consistently lagged behind Van Jefferson in snap counts in 2024, Austin was the more productive receiver, doubling Jefferson's production in receiving yards and touchdowns. Austin had a limited impact during Pittsburgh's wild-card loss to Baltimore, securing one of two targets for 25 yards, but he still showed some promise during his second healthy season in the NFL. Austin is entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2025, and he'll likely have a chance to take another step in his development process, especially if he rises to be the No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens. |
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Van Jefferson Van Jefferson Shows slight improvement in 2024
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 2:08 PM
Jefferson secured 24 of 40 targets for 276 yards and two touchdowns over 17 regular-season appearances in 2024.
Analysis: Jefferson split time between the Rams and Falcons last year and failed to reach the end zone with either club. Although he wasn't very consistent during his first season in Pittsburgh, he found the end zone on two occasions during the regular season and also scored a touchdown during the team's wild-card loss to Baltimore. The 28-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent during the offseason and will likely have limited fantasy upside heading into 2025, regardless of where he signs. |
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Aaron Shampklin Aaron Shampklin Inks deal with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:50 PM
The Steelers signed Shampklin to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Shampklin spent the 2024 season in Pittsburgh, mostly on the practice squad, but he did get promoted to the active roster several times and appeared in three regular-season contests. Shampklin rushed six times for 17 yards, logging the first carries of his career. He'll try to win a job this upcoming offseason. |
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Lance McCutcheon Lance McCutcheon Returns to Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:47 PM
The Steelers signed McCutcheon to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: McCutcheon spent last offseason with the Jets but was amongst the team's final cuts before Week 1. He eventually signed with Pittsburgh's practice squad in October but was later let go in November. McCutcheon will try to earn a longer look this offseason. He appeared in 10 games for the Rams during the 2022 season but failed to catch any of his five targets. |
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Brandon Johnson Brandon Johnson Back with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:44 PM
The Steelers signed Johnson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Cut by the Broncos ahead of Week 1 last summer, Johnson spent the entire season in Pittsburgh, toggling between the active roster and practice squad. He appeared in three regular-season contests, catching one pass for nine yards. Known mostly for his willingness to be a blocker out wide, Johnson will look to earn a role with the Steelers this upcoming offseason. |
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Evan Hull Evan Hull Signs with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:41 PM
The Steelers signed Hull to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Hull was a fifth-round pick of the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft and spent each of the past two seasons with the team, mostly on the practice squad. He appeared in two games for the team, logging one rushing attempt for one yard, while catching one pass for six yards. Hull will try to win a backup job in Pittsburgh's backfield this upcoming offseason. |
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Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson Inks deal with Pittsburgh
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:38 PM
The Steelers signed Thompson to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, Thompson spent the past three seasons with Miami as part of the team's backup situation behind Tua Tagovailoa. Thompson appeared in 10 regular-season contests in that time and even started Miami's wild-card playoff game against the Bills as a rookie. Thompson, however, looked overwhelmed when forced into action, completing 99 of 183 passes (54.1 percent) for 941 yards (5.14 yards per attempt), two touchdowns and five interceptions across those 11 contests, while absorbing 16 sacks. He'll compete for a backup gig in Pittsburgh this upcoming offseason. |
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