It didn’t take long for the Pittsburgh Steelers to upgrade at wide receiver this offseason. They traded for Michael Pittman Jr., and then they drafted Germie Bernard. Pittman should be the team’s No. 2 after DK Metcalf, and Bernard should compete for the No. 3 job. However, the Steelers still have other receivers on their roster. Former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex thinks that Ben Skowronek should be given more chances to make an impact on offense.
“He’s a Pro Bowl, All-Pro special teams player,” Essex said recently on his Snap Count podcast. “Whenever he had an opportunity to play wide receiver, whenever he was lined up in there, good things happened. He knows how to affect plays. He’s a great blocker. I’m making my case for Ben Skowronek because I know nobody else is really out there doing it when we draft two other wide receivers.
“My Fort Wayne guy can play, too. He probably has the longest shot out of everybody that we’ve talked about, but he is going to be on this team no matter what because of his special teams contributions. I think he’s capable of contributing on the offensive side of the ball as the third, fourth wide receiver in certain packages.”
Skowronek will almost certainly make the Steelers’ 53-man roster because of his special teams abilities. He made his first Pro Bowl last year for his contributions in that phase of the game. However, that doesn’t mean he’s ready to step up on offense.
Skowronek has been with the Steelers for the last two seasons, and wide receiver has been one of their biggest weaknesses during that time. Still, Skowronek hasn’t contributed much on offense. He’s only caught nine passes for 138 yards and one touchdown with the Steelers.
If Skowronek couldn’t step up in the last two years, then it’s unlikely that he’ll do so this year, with the Steelers’ receiver room more crowded. Even Roman Wilson has outproduced him, and he’s only really played for one season.
Skowronek could step up in a pinch if needed. However, the Steelers have other receivers who have shown more. Wilson or Bernard will likely be the team’s No. 3 receiver, with the other taking the No. 4 spot.
There’s nothing wrong with Skowronek being behind those players on the depth chart, either. He’s aware of his role as an ace special teams player. He’ll likely get the same number of chances on offense that he has in the past, too. Skowronek has made plays here and there, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to be as impactful as one of Pittsburgh’s younger options.
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