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.
Tight Ends
On the Roster: Jaheim Bell, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan, Pat Freiermuth, Lake McRee, JJ Galbreath
What We Know: The Steelers now have two tight ends in the top 15 of highest paid guys at the position with the recent extension of Washington. Those two are roster locks and common sense would suggest that Tonyan is a favorite for the third tight end spot simply because Aaron Rodgers likes him and has a history with him. Since leaving the Packers in 2022 Tonyan has played in Chicago, Minnesota and Kansas City. Over those three seasons he’s battled injuries and has just 12 receptions.
Despite Rodgers’ affinity for Tonyan, the door is likely open for others. Bell is a smaller tight end at 6’2″ with very inconsistent blocking traits. Galbreath is back for his second year and while he’s an excellent receiver, he too has work to do as a blocker. McRee has size similar to Galbreath and is a guy willing to sacrifice himself to make the catch but blocking issues persist.
What We Don’t Know: Mike Tomlin traditionally like his third tight end to be a blocker. Looking at what Mike McCarthy has to choose from I think we can say that concept is out the window. None of the guys behind the top two are what anyone would call “block first” tight ends. Rookie Riley Nowakowski is listed strictly as a fullback so I don’t see him ever being in position to be an ‘in-line’ tight end. Will he be used as an H-Back type? Yes I think that’s fair.
The other thing we don’t know is how McCarthy will use his tight ends. Keep in mind, his preferred personnel package is ’11’ meaning just one tight end. Does that mean more Washington or more Muth? Does it suggest that McCarthy will change up his philosophy and use more two tight end sets? Stay tuned.
How It Shakes Out: As long he remains healthy I believe Tonyan is the front runner to be the third tight end. Look no further than Rodgers’ obsession with getting Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the roster last year as proof. He has his guys and it seems that McCarthy will likely give in to that. Don’t be surprised if Galbreath has a nice Camp and preseason as a pass catcher. McCarthy seemed to appreciate the taller athletic types in Dallas so it’s something to keep in mind.
