Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin loves to emphasize that one player being absent means that another player will get an additional opportunity.
With new star wide receiver DK Metcalf not in attendance for the first week of Steelers OTAs at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, and the previous trade of George Pickens, the Steelers are suddenly short at the X wide receiver position.
The next man up — another favorite Tomlin phrase — has been fourth-year pro Brandon Johnson.
Johnson is in his second year with the Steelers, having spent the entire 2024 season on the practice squad after playing with the Denver Broncos in 2022 and 2023. Despite coming to Pittsburgh with a connection to quarterback Russell Wilson, Johnson never got much of a chance to prove what he could do in his first season in Pittsburgh.
But with Pickens traded and Metcalf not around for the first week of OTA practices, Johnson has found himself in an interesting position: the first team. Alongside Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin, it’s been the unheralded Johnson with a big chance to show what he can do so far.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Johnson said after practice on Thursday. “I believe in myself. I’m just trying to do my best to do what I can and make the team and just contribute any way I can.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Johnson has a significant size advantage of the rest of the Steelers’ top wide out options. Wilson (5-foot-11), Austin (5-foot-8) and Robert Woods (6-foot) aren’t going to line up against the likes of Joey Porter Jr. and win with size and physicality.
Now in his second go-around in Arthur Smith’s offense, Johnson also has a leg up on knowledge when compared to newcomers like Woods and undrafted free agent Roc Taylor.
Johnson understands that his chance may be fleeting. The Steelers have been shopping hard in the wide receiver market and Metcalf will return eventually. It doesn’t take much to go from the first team to off the team in the NFL — and he knows it.
“Never take any time in this league for granted,” Johnson said. “I’ve seen guys come in one year and be gone the next. Never take anything for granted and put your best foot forward every day. You have to, otherwise your job will be gone.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Unheralded Steelers WR Steps Up into Huge Opportunity
