With Steelerstraining camp just around the corner, we turn our focus to the roster andthe battles ahead of us over the summer. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking a closer look at some of the roster battles that we expect to see unfold over the course of training camp as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the start of the 2026 season.
This year, the Steelers seem to have most of their major battles settled before training camp. Outside of the offensive line, the rest of the starting lineup seems to be in order. There are other contributing roles to sort out, of course, like the third wide receiver. But perhaps more than most recent years, this is more jockeying for roles and depth, and not who is starting.
Position: Tight End
Up for Grabs: Depth
In the Mix: Riley Nowakowski, Robert Tonyan, JJ Galbreath
Tight end is just one of several positions at which the Steelers will have to figure out during training camp how many they can carry. They know they have Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, which is a good starting point. But who else can they carry, and how many?
There are three primary contenders—or really two, at least for now. Steelers rookie fifth-round pick Riley Nowakowski will be one of the most interesting players to watch in training camp. Listed as a fullback, he can do a little bit of everything. Or a little bit more than just a little bit, they hope—an upgrade from Connor Heyward. But they also want him to play fullback, assuming he makes the roster. And if he does, it will be partly thanks to special teams.
Or perhaps he will default onto the Steelers’ roster because the other tight ends can’t hack it in training camp. One is a veteran who is well past his prime, while the other is a second-year college free agent with no experience. Not exactly murderer’s row for the rookie.
Robert Tonyan has a lot of experience playing with Aaron Rodgers—but from many years ago. The Steelers didn’t even sign him until after he participated in a tryout during veteran minicamp, so he has a lot to prove during training camp. He’s maintained a spot in the league, but with diminishing returns in terms of contributions.
Then there’s JJ Galbreath, who was a training camp darling for Steelers fans last year. At least, they hoped he would be, but the reality is he never did all that much. Given their depth at tight end, he didn’t have a ton of opportunities, either.
Almost everybody is predicting that Nowakowski is safe for the roster, virtually regardless of how training camp unfolds. If that is indeed the case, then the question is whether he is the only one joining the group. The Steelers had four tight ends last year, but will they repeat it? Either Tonyan or Galbreath would have to force the issue by earning a spot the hard way. Especially when, realistically, either one would likely make it to the practice squad.
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