Rookie minicamp is here for the Pittsburgh Steelers. With that, the team officially posted the full 33-man tryout roster that will be present this weekend, which also includes the 2023 rookie class. We've heard various names announced over the past few weeks, which includes the undrafted free agents that were signed as well. There were two notable additions to the tryout list that we hadn't yet heard: quarterback Bryce Perkins and tight end Nick Boyle.
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Steelers camp tryout invitee Bryce Perkins enjoyed two great seasons at Virginia to end his collegiate career.
Perkins is notable because he played in five games for the Los Angeles Rams last season, which included one start. Without a notable third quarterback still, Perkins could slot into that spot if he impresses this weekend. He's unusual to the Steelers' typical quarterback mold, as he's more of a running quarterback. He will be competing with Hunter Johnson and Tanner Morgan to impress for that QB3 spot this weekend.
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As for the other new name, if it sounds familiar, it's because he used to play for a rival. Boyle spent eight seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, as they selected him in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. The writing was on the wall for him this offseason, as the Ravens are loaded at the TE position. So, why is Pittsburgh trying out a tight end? Well, he isn't trying out for that position.
Instead, Boyle is trying out as a long snapper. The Steelers have had Christian Kuntz man the position for the past two seasons, but he's nowhere near being irreplaceable. Boyle has seen his playing time dwindle over the past few years, as the Ravens continue to draft tight ends. In 2022, he played 108 special teams snaps and a career-low 61 offensive snaps.
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Christian Kuntz has been the Steelers' long snapper for two seasons now, but former Ravens TE Nick Boyle could overtake him with an impressive showing at rookie minicamp.
In 2021, he caught just one pass, his lone reception in the past two seasons. Boyle's best career season at tight end came back in 2019, as he hauled in 31 catches for 321 yards and two touchdowns. Now, he's set to try and prolong his NFL career at a new position. With the Ravens, he was always praised for his exceptional blocking, so this position change does make some sense.
It will all make for an interesting few weeks. OTA's take place here soon, and things will begin to start following in preparation for the 2023 campaign. If there are a few standouts this weekend, they will possibly get a shot to compete for a 53-man roster spot in training camp. More realistically, they could also end up on the practice squad. Regardless, Pittsburgh is likely hoping they at least walk away with a solidified choice amongst the three quarterbacks at minicamp.
We are very close to seeing the Steelers back in action! With the schedule officially released on Thursday, be sure to check out our opponents for the 2023 season. With the team's over/under win total set at 8.5, the black and gold seem primed to shock many.
What are your thoughts on these recent names added to the tryout pool? Do you give Boyle a realistic shot at overtaking Kuntz as the long snapper? Will Perkins separate himself as the best option for the team's No. 3 QB this weekend? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!
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