When the Pittsburgh Steelers offense takes the field this year, don’t be surprised to see a good amount of Ben Skowronek. Especially since Robert Woods failed to make the team, he is their best run-blocking wide receiver. And the Steelers want to run the ball a lot this year, so expect Skow Dirt to get some burn, Ray Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan on Thursday.
“The thing about Arthur Smith’s offense, if they want to run the ball, you’re gonna see Ben Skowronek out there as the second receiver on a lot of these occasions,” he told his hosts. “Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are gonna be the second and third receivers. And I think Wilson and Austin are gonna get their fair share, but I don’t think it’s gonna be anything approaching like what numbers other No. 2 receivers, or even No. 3 receiver, get in terms of targets around the league.”
In theory, Skowronek is the fifth of five receivers on the Steelers’ depth chart — the “special teams guy.” Ahead of him are DK Metcalf, Wilson, Austin, and Scotty Miller, who had a strong preseason. When it comes to running routes and catching balls, all of them should see more targets.
But the Steelers make room for a run-blocking receiver, including Skowronek last year. Of the 109 offensive snaps he took last year, he engaged in run blocking on 55. One of the team’s starting gunners, he will get a long look on special teams, but there is also an offensive niche for him.
A 2021 sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Ben Skowronek is in his fifth season. He played three years with the Rams before they traded him to Houston a year ago. After the Texans released him, he signed with the Steelers and found a home.
Skowronek re-signed with the Steelers this offseason on a two-year, $4,475,000 contract. He fits the Steelers’ culture, both generally and in the locker room. And he also has a friend in QB Aaron Rodgers, which won’t hurt his case. He still might not see many passes, but if he is on the field, he is an option.
Skowronek is hardly the Steelers’ first run-blocking wide receiver. Some years ago, at the height of the Antonio Brown era, they would run 13 or 22 personnel, and Darrius Heyward-Bey was the lone receiver on the field. In 2017, for example, he played 100 offensive snaps, with 53 run-blocking snaps.
Now, that’s not to say that Fittipaldo is right. He may be overstating the case of how little the Steelers plan to use their other wide receivers in the passing game other than DK Metcalf. Yes, they have two pass-catching tight ends, and they also like their running backs. But they also have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, for whom they patiently waited.
And he has been actively recruiting his own wide receivers, on top of everything else. He may not have Davante Adams or even Allen Lazard, but he does have Ben Skowronek — and DK Metcalf. And the rest, mind you. At various times this offseason, he has praised Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, and Scotty Miller, so he’s fine with the group they have.
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