The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a position where they’ve missed out on acquiring Brandon Aiyuk, leading to ongoing concerns about their depth at wide receiver. As the new NFL season approaches, the team is addressing this issue by adding some fresh talent to their practice squad.
On Friday, the Steelers announced the addition of Ben Skowronek to their practice squad. Skowronek, a 27-year-old wide receiver, spent his initial three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. In the 2022 season, he made 11 starts, but his playing time in previous seasons was relatively limited, with just a 19% snap share. This led the Rams to part ways with him in the offseason. Skowronek was subsequently traded to the Houston Texans in May.
However, Skowronek faced stiff competition in Houston’s crowded receiver room. Ultimately, he and Noah Brown were among the final roster cuts. After clearing waivers, Skowronek became a free agent and seized the opportunity to join the Steelers’ practice squad. He will now aim to work his way up to the active roster as Pittsburgh evaluates its receiving options. Currently, George Pickens is positioned as the Steelers’ primary wideout, with Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller, and third-round rookie Roman Wilson slated as supporting players.
In addition to Skowronek, the Steelers have also signed Quez Watkins to their practice squad. Watkins, a former Philadelphia Eagle, initially joined Pittsburgh through free agency with hopes of securing a starting role. Despite these aspirations, he was cut from the team earlier this week. As a vested veteran, Watkins immediately became available for other teams, but he opted to stay with the Steelers on a practice squad deal.
During his second NFL season, Watkins demonstrated impressive performance, averaging 15 yards per catch. However, his role diminished over the subsequent seasons, resulting in his exclusion from the Eagles’ future plans. The 26-year-old now faces the challenge of proving himself once more, either by earning a spot on the active roster or contributing from the practice squad.
The question remains whether Skowronek and Watkins will manage to secure a place on the active roster soon, or if the existing wide receivers in Pittsburgh will suffice. With Russell Wilson at quarterback and Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator, the Steelers’ offensive scheme will be under scrutiny as the team evaluates its receiving corps’ effectiveness and depth.
