Grading the signing: Steelers make a head-scratching move at a position of need despite having a clear choice in front of them
The Steelers filled a major void on their roster, but it’s the player who leaves more questions than answers.
When you think of NFL free agency, you think of what happened on Monday, where deals are coming through left and right, trades like Michael Pittman are going down, and signings that help change the face of a franchise occur.
But there are also the under-the-radar additions that make a difference every year. The signings that come in wave two of the process are where teams look to tighten up the few loose parts of their roster. For the Steelers, they still have plenty of big needs, but they decided on Tuesday to sign their starting punter for the 2026 season. Only, the move doesn’t make a ton of sense from a performance standpoint.
Steelers reuniting with Punter Cameron Johnston
Johnston originally signed with the Steelers almost two years ago to the day. He was brought in on a three-year deal worth $9 million, before suffering a knee injury that would force him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
His replacement, Corliss Waitman, did a serviceable job. The two of them went to training camp in Latrobe last summer and battled it out, with Waitman coming out on top. Waitman is currently a free agent and could have been re-signed at any point. Johnston on the other hand, played for both the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants last year, and neither one was a solid outing.
Just read what Adam Zientek of A to Z Sports Buffalo had to say.
How Cameron Johnston performed post-Steelers
“Johnston wasn’t the best punter for Buffalo, but injuries also played a factor. He was responsible for one of the coolest moments from a punter, though. In the Bills’ win over the New Orleans Saints, Johnston got hit hard and was in clear pain. Like the absolute unit of a punter he is, he threw on a knee brace and got back in the game to hold a kick for Buffalo shortly after.
“He’s got guts, that’s for sure. In three games with Buffalo, Johnston averaged 37.9 net punt yards, which is in the bottom third across the league at the time. Buffalo moved on and signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky, placing Johnston on injured reserve before his eventual release. At the worst, he’s a body to compete at camp. We know he’s a fierce competitor and at best could be a competent punter for his next club.”
Final Grade: C
While the Steelers announced that it was only a one-year deal, meaning the money can’t be that significant, the team had the chance to re-sign Waitman right in front of them. Opting to go with an older punter who has been less productive and more prone to injury doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.
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