Steelers Now
In a city where special teams standouts are celebrated like steelworkers on a double shift, Ben Skowronek is quickly carving out his own piece of Pittsburgh lore.
When the 6-foot-3, 224-pound wideout arrived in late 2024 via the practice squad, few expected him to become the heartbeat of Danny Smith’s kick coverage units. But by the end of the 2025 season, Skowronek had established himself as an indispensable weapon, earning a Pro Bowl selection as the AFC’s premier special teamer after racking up 11 solo tackles and routinely blowing up return schemes as a gunner.
Now, as the Steelers head into training camp, the spotlight on Skowronek is even brighter. With longtime unit leader Miles Killebrew moving on, Pittsburgh needs a new core commander to set the physical, unrelenting tone that defines the franchise’s special teams legacy. Skowronek is the primary candidate for the captain’s patch.
What sets Skowronek apart is his hybrid versatility. Whether he’s downing punts inside the 5-yard line, laying out returners, or lining up on offense as a lead-blocking H-back and wide receiver, he plays with a controlled violence that Pittsburgh fans adore. Even when asked by Steelers Now about the non-contact flag football format at the Pro Bowl, Skowronek didn’t mince words about his preferences: “I’m a special teams blocking receiver. So it’s not really up my alley. I like the contact aspect of football.”
Hidden impact wins games, and Skowronek provides it in spades. He may officially be listed as a receiver, but in Western Pennsylvania, he’s earned a far higher honor: a classic, hard-nosed Steelers special teams ace.
Acquired: Skowronek’s path to Pittsburgh was anything but direct. Originally a seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2021—where he earned a Super Bowl ring—he was traded to the Houston Texans in May 2024 before being waived ahead of final roster cuts. Pittsburgh quickly swooped in to sign him to their practice squad in late Aug. 2024. After proving his worth across multiple phases of the game during his debut campaign, the Steelers locked him down with a two-year contract extension in March 2025, cementing his place in their core plans.
Last Year: Skowronek’s 2025 campaign solidified his status as an indispensable piece of Pittsburgh’s core. Suiting up for all 17 regular-season games, he spearheaded Danny Smith’s coverage units with 11 solo special teams tackles—ranking among the NFL’s elite gunners—and earned his first career Pro Bowl selection as the AFC’s designated special teamer.
Though his primary impact came without the ball in his hands, he proved reliable whenever called upon on offense, catching four passes for 69 yards—including a 22-yard touchdown grab in the season opener against the New York Jets. In total, he logged over 300 special teams snaps, routinely controlling field position and cementing his reputation as one of the league’s premiere open-field tacklers.
Pro Career: Over five NFL seasons, Skowronek has quietly...
