Steelers' New Punter Cameron Johnston Doing In OTAs What Pressley Harvin III Never Could

There are no doubts that the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to upgrade the quarterback position during the 2024 offseason. It was also clear that adding to the wide receiver, cornerback and inside linebacker positions was imperative. Out of all of the signings, trades and draft selections, the most under-the-radar move might not have had anything to do with the offensive or defensive sides of the ball. The franchise's punting situation has been inconsistent since the team took Pressley Harvin III in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He never met expectations and was released well before the new league year began in March.

The corresponding move came during free agency as Cameron Johnston elected to come to the Steel City on a fresh three-year deal. The Steelers weren't messing around and were clearly looking for a long-term solution that didn't result in balls off the side of the organization's punter's foot. Johnston remarked recently that Jordan Berry helped him make the decision.

The punting position hasn't exactly been secure for Pittsburgh during Head Coach Mike Tomlin's tenure. That might leave fans still concerned, despite Johnston's success in recent years. Fortunately, it seems as if the newcomer is turning heads during May's Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said to fans in a chat on Wednesday that he has been shocked by Johnston's abilities.

"Let me say this, I was watching Cameron Johnston yesterday at OTAs and was stunned about the hang time he gets on his punts. Very very impressive. I told him after I thought they were using the JUGS machine for the drill," Dulac wrote.

For those unfamiliar with a JUGS machine, it is a device used to place footballs in that are then launched high in the air to make it difficult for kick and punt returners to securely receive it. It is a big-time compliment to have someone thinking your leg has the same power as a JUGS machine. Hang time is a critical part of punting that Harvin struggled with constantly throughout his career with the Steelers.

Pittsburgh is set to have a fresh-looking offense in 2024, which will hopefully lead to less punting. Harvin consistently had every fan holding his/her breath when the Steelers offense had a fourth down deep in their own territory. It almost always led to the opposing offense getting phenomenal field position. While Harvin was typically much better in practice and training camp without the pressure being on, Johnston has proven that he can do it when it matters most.

Harvin remains a free agent and it's unlikely that he gets a starting job in 2024 as he likely tries to work on his craft. In the meantime, the Steelers will have a guy who was sixth in the NFL in 2023 with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line and had a 47.7 yards per punt average. Dulac's report on Johnston looking incredibly good is fantastic to read, especially given the fact that the position, even before Harvin, has plagued the team for some time.

Steelers' Defense Will Thrive With Better Punting

Pittsburgh possesses an extremely talented defense, but it has been put in tough situations over the course of the last few years due to being backed up against a wall. Poor punting has not been ideal and if Johnston can perform throughout the regular season as he already is in OTAs, it will be a much easier task for the defensive unit to wreak havoc, cause turnovers and get quicker stops.

Do you think Johnston will be the best punter the Steelers have had in Tomlin's tenure? Let us know in the comments below!

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