Steelers Have An Unexpected Training Camp Darling Flying Under The Radar

The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally put the pads on in training camp, where they can see what their players are made of. Mike McCarthy may be doing his camp differently than Mike Tomlin, with less physicality and more attention to detail, but the intensity is the key. 2026 training camp is much more interesting for some than in previous years, with a wholesale coaching change that brings new schemes to both the offense and defense. Fans get to see a new-look Steelers team, bringing much-needed juice to an organization that has been stale for almost a decade. 

Along with McCarthy's coaching staff came some shiny new weapons that included Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle on offense, and Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker on defense. These four men have all been solid players for other organizations and will look to do so once again in Pittsburgh. There have also been some less exciting signings like Sebastian Joseph-Day and Brock Hoffman. They're not stars, but contributors nonetheless. 

Every team has training camp darlings as well, who shine unexpectedly. This forces the coaching staff to make a tough decision come cut day. The Steelers' unsung hero in 2026 isn't a household name by any means, having bounced around a few teams in his career. This player has a tough path to make the 53-man roster as his position group is rather crowded, but his veteran leadership could be a great help to the rest of the offense. 

After practice on August 3, team insider Mark Kaboly appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, where he was asked about which newcomer has been the most impressive. Even though he's been under the radar, Kaboly believes tight end Robert Tonyan has looked good during training camp with the Steelers. Tonyan signed after a tryout on June 4 and is now making a case for his roster spot. 

"You know who I do like, I mean, he's way, way, way, way, way underneath the radar here, but Robert Tonyan's looking pretty good. He's looking pretty doggone good," Kaboly stated. 

Tonyan once had a great connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which led to the tight end posting 586 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020. Injuries and inconsistent play led to his release following the 2022 season, and he has since played for three teams. The former Green Bay Packers tight end started his career with McCarthy as a rookie in 2018 and is now likely looking to end it with the same coach. 

This offseason, the Steelers lost utility man Connor Heyward to the Las Vegas Raiders, but drafted fullback/tight end Riley Nowakowski in the fifth round. Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith liked using lots of tight ends, prompting the team to keep four on the roster last year. McCarthy, on the other hand, is less likely to do that. With Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington already on the roster at the top of the depth chart, Tonyan will have to fight for the TE3 spot, where his role will likely be minimal. 

New Steelers Tight End Is Making A Serious Push

While the Steelers lost Heyward in the offseason, they also released Jonnu Smith after a very underwhelming debut season in Pittsburgh. The organization has only two locks on the roster for tight ends, with Nowakowski as the probable fullback. Tonyan may be 32, but with his connection to McCarthy and Rodgers, he very well could be suited up in the Black and Gold Week 1, even with a small role. Tonyan hasn't played much football in the past two years, catching only one pass and not starting in a single game. 

Tonyan will have to prove he still has gas in the tank in the preseason, where he should be heavily featured. If he shows out, he'll likely lock down a roster spot for himself. The tight end was certainly not one Steeler Nation thought twice about when he was signed, but they may now be watching him play for their favorite team in the regular season. 

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