The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a significant challenge in their special teams unit following a wave of free agent losses. The departure of key players like James Pierre, Connor Heyward, Miles Killebrew, Corliss Waitman, and Calvin Austin III has left a gaping hole in the team's special teams snaps, with over 1,000 snaps to replace from the 2025 season alone. This is a critical issue, as special teams can often be the difference between winning and losing in the NFL.
One of the most notable losses is Calvin Austin III, who was the Steelers' punt returner. There's currently no clear replacement on the roster, and the 2026 NFL Draft may offer an intriguing solution in the form of Iowa's Kaden Wetjen. The Steelers will also need to find a new holder for kicker Chris Boswell, who has only attempted five field goals with his new holder, Cameron Johnston, after Corliss Waitman's departure.
The loss of experienced players like Heyward and Killebrew is also a significant blow. Heyward was a Swiss Army knife who played in all special teams situations, while Killebrew served as the Steelers' special teams captain for four years. These players' absence will be hard to fill, and the Steelers will need to rely on new faces like Payton Wilson, Carson Bruener, and Jack Sawyer to step up.
The Steelers' special teams were solid under Danny Smith in recent years, but the loss of so many experienced players in the same offseason is a tough blow. The team will need to work hard to round out the bottom of the roster and plug the holes in their special teams unit. For now, special teams remains a glaring weakness that the Steelers will need to address in the coming months.
In my opinion, the Steelers' special teams issues are a result of the team's recent coaching changes. The loss of Mike Tomlin and Danny Smith is a significant blow to the team's stability, and the new coordinator, Danny Crossman, will need to work hard to establish a cohesive unit. The Steelers will need to be patient and give Crossman time to implement his strategies and build a strong special teams unit.
One thing that immediately stands out is the importance of special teams in the NFL. It's often an overlooked area, but it can be the difference between winning and losing. The Steelers will need to take a step back and think about how they can improve their special teams unit, and they may need to consider some bold moves in the draft or free agency to fill the gaps.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of the special teams captain. Killebrew's absence will be hard to fill, but it also presents an opportunity for a new leader to step up and make an impact. The Steelers will need to find a player who can step into this role and lead the unit with confidence and experience.
What this really suggests is that the Steelers will need to be creative and innovative in their approach to special teams. They may need to experiment with new strategies and tactics to find success, and they may need to rely on their returning stalwarts to step up and fill the gaps. The Steelers will need to work hard and be patient as they build a strong special teams unit, and they may need to make some bold moves to get there.
