After Darnell Washington earned a massive four-year, $42 million contract extension this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have their top two tight ends secured for the foreseeable future. But when it comes to figuring out the 53-man roster, it's the depth that fans are most interested in seeing.
Entering the summer, the Steelers have seven tight ends on their 90-man roster, and we know that roughly half of these names will be forced to leave in September. Historically, Pittsburgh has kept four tight ends, and in recent years. In recent years, one of their tight ends—Connor Heyward—wore multiple hats as a tight end, fullback, and H-back.
Heyward left Pittsburgh for Las Vegas in free agency, and the Steelers released veteran Jonnu Smith. This clears the way for two new players to earn roles on the 53-man roster. While we want to believe this is an open competition, it already seems clear which two depth options are in the driver's seat to earn a roster spot at tight end.
Early projected chances of each Pittsburgh Steelers tight end making the 53-man roster
Darnell Washington: 100%
You could just as easily list Pat Freiermuth first here, but Washington is the ascending TE who just broke the bank, so I went with him. Considering his youth, value to the team, and contract, he's an absolute roster lock (assuming he doesn't land on IR before the season).
Pat Freiermuth: 100%
Pat Freiermuth hasn't taken his game to the next level despite excellent back-to-back seasons to open his career in 2021 and 2022. Still, he's a steady and reliable option who is earning top-10 money at the position. There's always an outside chance the Steelers could trade the veteran tight end now that Washington's extension is in the books, but that feels incredibly unlikely. Consider him a roster lock.
Riley Nowakowski: 95%
Fifth-round draft choices aren't exactly guarantees to make the roster, but the Steelers had an agenda on Day 3 of the draft: find guys who will make the team. Nowakowski feels like a bigger version of Connor Heyward—a do-it-all tight end who can masquerade as a fullback when needed. I won't call him a roster lock, but he's close.
Robert Tonyan: 75%
Before the Robert Tonyan signing, I would have said that the fourth tight end spot was legitimately up for grabs. Heck, I wouldn't have been shocked if the Steelers decided to keep just three tight ends on their active roster and promote one from the practice squad when needed. However, Tonyan makes sense for the team's situation. It's been years since he had a productive season, but he's a veteran with playing experience and ties to Aaron Rodgers. That'll do.
Lake McRee: 12%
Lake McRee could turn some heads in his first training camp. The undrafted rookie free agent out of USC has a respectable skill set and youth on his side. There's a chance he could edge out the TE4 spot if the 32-year-old Tonyan doesn't have much left in the tank. But let's call it a 12 percent chance for McRee (and that might be generous).
JJ Galbreath: 6%
Galbreath did about as much as could be expected last offseason. After signing with the Steelers as a UDFA following the 2025 NFL Draft, he spent the summer with the team and spent time on the practice squad. Galbreath may have to follow the same path again in 2026, and he's a long shot to make the roster.
Jaheim Bell: 2%
Jaheim Bell has 15 games of NFL experience, but this came in 2024. Despite earning a helmet for nearly a full season, Bell recorded just two receptions for 19 yards on 83 offensive snaps. Bell is new to the organization and is undersized—two factors working against him. Barring an incredible summer performance, he has next to no shot of making the Steelers' 53-man roster.
Add us as a preferred source on Google