2023 Steelers Training Camp Preview: The Tight Ends
It’s hard to believe but the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Training Camp is right around the corner. As we countdown the days until camp begins, SCU will highlight each position group detailing the players who will be competing for a spot on the Steelers’ final 53-man roster at the end of this Summer.
Finding a steady tight end has been common theme in Pittsburgh since 2016, the first season following the retirement of long-time franchise great Heath Miller.
In those following years the Steelers have attempted to shore up the position via free agency (Ladarius Green), trades (Vance McDonald) and the draft (Jesse James).
The same season that Miller retired, another unsung hero – Matt Spaeth – also left the NFL. Spaeth, a third-round pick in 2007, probably never got the recognition he deserved doing a lot of dirty work during his two stints in the Steel City.
Up until the last couple of seasons, it didn’t appear the Steelers would ever find the right combination of players to replace Miller and Spaeth. James got a crack first, along with others such as those mentioned above, plus Xavier Grimble, Nick Vannett, and Eric Ebron.
Pittsburgh may finally have the best stable of tight ends since 2015, however, with recent additions showing a promising future. Here are those players.
Pat Freiermuth
Freiermuth finished the 2022 season second in receptions and third in yards on the team, but like others, a lack of touchdown catches (only two).
Entering year three, the former Penn State product has played in 32 of 34 games. Having only three more catches last season than in his rookie season (63 to 60) Freiermuth saw his yards-per-reception average explode from 8.3 to 11.6.
Now the challenge will be how he supports second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett in the passing game, while also working on being a better blocker too.
Freiermuth is the undisputed starter of this group, with the potential to breakout as a star at any moment. 2023 could be a pivotal year in his young career.
Zach Gentry
If Freiermuth is to Miller, then Gentry is to Spaeth, as the fifth-year pro – and former collegiate quarterback turned tight end – continues to develop into a steady hand.
There were only four games in the entire season where Gentry played fewer than 40% of the Steelers offensive snaps. Often an afterthought in the passing game (19 catches in each of the last two seasons) he has been primarily used as a blocker.
Gentry hit free agency this March, but the Steelers valued him enough to return on a one-year deal. However, with another rookie tight end selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gentry will be looking over his shoulder as to his Steelers future.
It’s unlikely he’s a training camp casualty, as having several solid tight ends is vital to Pittsburgh’s plans. Yet, the incoming rookie mentioned next may cut into Gentry’s healthy amount of playing time as this season wears on.
Darnell Washington
A shocking draft day drop saw Washington land right into the Steelers lap with the 93rd overall pick (third round) in this year’s NFL Draft.
The 6’7” 265 lbs. monster is a two-time College Football Playoff champion with the Georgia Bulldogs. A self-anointed “sixth offensive lineman” is a willing and nasty blocker, who played alongside Steelers first round pick, left tackle Broderick Jones, during their college days.
This makes Washington a salivating option for Pittsburgh’s offensive schemes. He creates natural mismatches with his size, and also has decent size and athleticism for his frame.
I suspect Washington may have a learning curve to get onto the field. Mike Tomlin generally hesitates to put first-year skill position players on the field. In the past, Jesse James, Zach Gentry, and even non-tight ends such as James Conner and Martavis Bryant struggled to see large swaths of snaps in their rookie seasons.
Yet, I feel like Washington is such a unique player that he could breakthrough sooner, rather than later, and could be one of the surprise players from the entire 2023 NFL Draft by the time December football rolls around.
Connor Heyward
Entering his second season pegged as both a fullback and a tight end, Heyward’s usage will be interesting to monitor. I suspect he will continue to play a hybrid role, as the Steelers didn’t bring back FB Derek Watt and there is no other fullback on the roster.
Heyward will see those few backfield snaps, which will also see him float into the slot – and find openings as he did late in the 2022 season. And unlike my comments about Zach Gentry being an afterthought in the Steelers offense, Heyward is not.
Heyward played few snaps in the first four games of the season, then started to chip away more playing time as the season continued. He would see a lofty 13, 12, and 25 snaps in the Steelers last three games, including a pair of carries.
Also, a special teams contributor, I suspect Heyward will have the same impact in 2023. Teams will struggle to matchup properly with Pittsburgh’s other receiving options, leaving Heyward to feast in situations where it’s least expected.
Others in Camp
Tennessee-Martin prospect Rodney “Rod” Williams is the only other tight end coming to training camp. According to Steelers.com, Williams played in 53 games (26 starts) at Tennessee-Martin (2016-21) registering 99 receptions for 1,217 yards (12.3 avg.) with 7 touchdowns.
