The Pittsburgh Steelers were very excited about their new punter, Cameron Johnston, ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Unfortunately, he quickly suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. The Steelers had signed Johnston to a three-year deal worth $9 million, clearly viewing him as a weapon. Then-Head Coach Mike Tomlin was glowing in his praise for Johnston as a special teams asset heading into the 2024 season.
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Steelers punter Cameron Johnston (5) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Losing their punter so early was a brutal blow for Pittsburgh. The Steelers turned to Corliss Waitman, working with him to make him the starting punter after Johnston’s injury. Now, with Waitman a restricted free agent, it seems Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is making sure the team has their punter position secured.
According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, Pittsburgh is brining back Johnston. It’s normal to enter training camp with two punters, but it will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds. With Johnston back in the Steel City, there’s renewed excitement about his booming leg. Waitman didn’t perform poorly, but he was by no means a weapon as a punter. Johnston may be that weapon, and it will be fascinating to watch how things play out.
"Steelers bring back punter Cam Johnston," Kaboly said. "Incumbent Corliss Waitman is a restricted free agent."
The fact that Waitman is a restricted free agent means another team could try to steal him from the Steelers since his contract has expired. However, the Steelers retain control and have the ability to match any offer, so they cannot just lose the player without a chance. Bringing Johnston back is telling and shows they may want more from their punter.
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Steelers punters Cameron Johnston (5) and Corliss Waitman (3) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers fans never got a chance to see what life could be like on special teams with Johnston booming punts. Throughout his career, he has been known for flipping the field and changing the outcome of games with the placement of his punts. The Steelers have been missing that, and now, with a new special teams coach in Danny Crossman, their punter position is set to get talked about even more.
Steelers Could Really Use A Weapon As A Punter
The Steelers could really use a weapon at punter, and Johnston fits that role perfectly. Known for booming punts and flipping field position, Johnston brings a game-changing element the team missed in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Cameron Johnston practicing holding a kick for Chris Boswell during training camp in 2024.
With Waitman now a restricted free agent, Pittsburgh securing Johnston signals they want a punter who can make a real impact on special teams under a new coach in Crossman.
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