Steelers Suddenly Bring In Unexpected Competition For Shoo-In Starter

The Pittsburgh Steelers have refused to stay out of the headlines throughout the 2026 offseason. General Manager Omar Khan has done everything in his power to make the roster better. While the coaching staff has been completely revamped, it's hard to argue that the team as a whole isn't in better shape than it was a year ago. The main focus now will be getting to training camp at the end of July and having a fantastic preseason to ensure that the collective is ready for meaningful football to begin. That is why so many depth chart battles will be fun to watch.

The Steelers have historically always brought in competition at pretty much every position during any season's preparation process. The same is set to be true, but it would have been fair for fans to wonder if there would be any of that occurring on special teams. Chris Boswell just signed an extension that made him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, and Cameron Johnston was brought back to punt after a short stint with the franchise recently.

Pittsburgh made a pretty interesting move on Tuesday that had to have gotten the attention of Johnston, who has been relaxing as the only punter on the roster for some time now. Brian Batko reported the news on X, and it has to be viewed as interesting by members of Steeler Nation. 

"Steelers now have a second punter after claiming Aidan Laros off waivers from Tampa Bay," Batko wrote. "Laros is a South Africa native who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Bucs after punting at Charlotte, UT Martin and Kentucky. Veteran WR Brandon Johnson was released to make room."

Aidan Laros didn't have eye-popping numbers at Kentucky, as he only averaged 44.9 yards per punt during his two campaigns with the Wildcats. Despite that, the Steelers are sending a message that a camp competition is on the horizon for Johnston, who has dealt with injuries in each of the last two years. Back in 2024, a brutal leg injury knocked him out for Pittsburgh's season very early on.

Punting is a very underrated part of the NFL. Field position can make a big difference in the outcome of any contest, and it has come back to bite the Steelers in several matchups of late. This doesn't mean Laros is in the driver's seat to win a job; that will certainly be Johnston, but nothing is going to be handed to anyone on a silver platter.

One thing to keep in mind as the two get set to potentially battle it out in July and into August is Johnston's familiarity with Boswell. There is no word how the holding operation will look for Danny Crossman's special teams group, but it is very likely that the punter, whoever it is, will be tasked with that responsibility. Besides veteran experience, that immediately give Johnston the upper hand in this scenario.

The fact that the Steelers went as far as to claim Laros after he was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers means that the coaching staff does see something in him. For a little while, it appeared as if Pittsburgh was not going to even test Johnston. That reality appears to be null and void. Back in early May, the team had several punters in for tryouts, but none of them ended up getting signed. It's safe to say this may have been something the front office has been wanting to do for some time.

Steelers Likely Hoping Johnston Leaves No Doubt

Pittsburgh could use some consistency on all fronts when it comes to special teams. This is why Johnston winning the job would be ideal. He has experience holding for Boswell and is a veteran with plenty of pedigree. However, a young rookie coming into the fray without a lot to prove and nothing to lose could provide for an interesting and unexpected training camp battle.

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