While the Pittsburgh Steelers are now enjoying their summer prior to Training Camp, we’re going to spend some time previewing the positions. From the locks to the guys who are just ‘camp bodies’ we’ll take a look at all of the guys competing at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.
Kickers, Punters, Long Snappers and Returners
On the Roster: Cam Johnston, Chris Boswell, Laith Marjan, Christian Kuntz, Donte Kent, Kaden Wetjen
What We Know: The rookie Marjan spent time at East Carolina, South Alabama and Kansas. His final two seasons were the only ones he saw action for the Jaguars and Jayhawks respectively. He made 30 of 34 career field goal attempts and 82 of 84 PAT attempts. To be blunt, he’s here for two reasons; to give Boswell a break and to be scouted in case of injury. Boswell enters his 12th season and by the time he leaves he will be the Steelers’ all-time best kicker.
The team has had a few different punters in for tryouts but as of this writing Johnston is the only one on the roster. He will no doubt be the team’s punter going forward and I think we are all rooting for him. He entered the 2024 season as the team’s punter only to be knocked out for the season in week one. He got a fresh start in Buffalo in 2025 but was hurt once again. He’s an excellent punter and the team needs him to stay healthy.
Make no mistake that Wetjen was drafted specifically for his return capabilities. He had just 23 career receptions at Iowa so yes, he can play receiver but that’s not why he’s here. He will be the team’s primary punt and kick return man but let’s also keep something else in mind. Danny Crossman replaces long-time Steelers Special Teams Coach Danny Smith so we’ll need to pay close attention how Crossman deploys his return men.
Kent has very good straight-line speed but he clearly has his work cut out for him in terms of making the roster. Kuntz should not have any issues remaining the team’s long snapper. He’s a proven veteran with a solid record of accuracy.
What We Don’t Know: The absolute biggest question mark here is how Crossman operates as the new ST Coach. Will he be more of a risk taker than Smith was? Does he offer more or less creativity when it comes to the relatively new kickoff? The third phase of football is always the most overlooked one yet it can easily change the course of game in one play. Watching this unit will be intriguing when preseason hits.
This might be a very minor thing but we don’t know who will be holding for Boswell on his field goals and PATs. Traditionally, the team has used the punter but maybe that changes under Crossman. Much of it will come down to who Boswell is most comfortable.
How It Shakes Out: This is the easiest of the position groups to project. Pencil in Boswell, Johnston, Kuntz and Wetjen.
Keep in mind that injuries during Camp and the Preseason always have a way of factoring into these decisions.
