Steelers See New Special Teams Problems Arise After Fixing Punting Issue

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not had the best special teams units in recent years despite special teams coordinator Danny Smith being with the organization since the 2013 season. Chris Boswell has been one of the best kickers in the league, but punting has consistently been a problem for the Steelers as well as coverage on kickoff. The league significantly changed the kickoff rules for 2024, so all 32 teams will have issues with that, but Pittsburgh is seeing problems in another area of special teams.

Over the last couple of seasons, punting has been the biggest problem area for the Steelers when it came to special teams. Pressley Harvin III was too inconsistent, and would often shank a handful of punts every season. The organization fixed that problem by signing Cameron Johnston, but a new problem has formed. 

Pittsburgh is having issues fielding punts in training camp. Steeler Nation's own Brandon Wallace shared that both Calvin Austin III and John Rhys Plumlee were having issues controlling punts during Wednesday's practice.

Austin and Plumlee couldn't hang on to a few kicks, which is incredibly concerning. A muffed punt is one of the most momentum-shifting plays in the sport of football. A team goes from giving up possession of the ball, to gaining it right back with significantly better field position. It's critical that teams have a reliable returner that won't let the ball hit the ground, and it seems like Pittsburgh is still searching for theirs. 

Austin was the Steelers primary punt returner during the 2023 season, and it should be expected for him to continue that role in 2024. However, if he strings a few practices together where he has clear issues fielding punts, he may get replaced. In 2022, and for a little while in 2023, Pittsburgh's punt returner was Gunner Olszewski, who had fans sitting on the edge of their seats every time a ball was kicked in his direction; and not in a good way.

Aside from Austin and Plumlee, Pittsburgh has a few other options they may want to try out as a punt returner. Scotty Miller has experience returning kicks, and lined up a few times as a punt returner, but never got the opportunity to run anything back. The same goes for Quez Watkins, who played that role with the Philadelphia Eagles. Both of those guys are on the edge of making the final roster, and either breaking out as the Steelers' punt returner could shore up a spot for them on the final 53. 

Steelers Finally Upgraded The Punter Position

Pittsburgh really struggled over the last several years with punting, and Harvin should have been released a lot sooner than he was. There was no reason for him to be punting for the black and gold for three full seasons, especially after showing little improvement from year-to-year. Head Coach Mike Tomlin didn't even try to hide his disgust in Harvin after some games, and it became clear 2023 would be the last year for Harvin in Pittsburgh.

Now, Pittsburgh has turned things around with Johnston. He led the league in punting yards back during the 2021 season, and has been one of the more consistent players at the position. He has already impressed during training camp, and it seems to be a night and day difference from Harvin. If the offense continues to struggle in 2024, the defense won't have to be put at too much of a disadvantage since the team has a proven professional at the position that can flip the field.

Are you worried about who will play punt returner? Let us know in the comments below!

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