The Pittsburgh Steelers may have a rookie with an unusual advantage heading into the most important stretch of his first NFL offseason in Riley Nowakowski. He is also leaning on two of the most relentless players in Pittsburgh’s locker room for guidance.
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Steelers' Riley Nowakowski goes through drills during his Pro Day in the 2026 offseason.
Nowakowski is not entering the league with the spotlight that usually follows a first-round pick or a young quarterback. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft and his role is not built around fantasy football numbers or highlight plays. The Steelers drafted him because they needed toughness, versatility, and someone who could help restore a more physical identity on offense.
That type of role requires trust. Nowakowski has already shown he understands that. He is trying to earn his place in a crowded NFL building, but he has a unique support system around him. His connection to rising star outside linebacker Nick Herbig goes back to their time at Wisconsin, and he also has the opportunity to train with All-Pro edge rusher TJ Watt, one of the best defensive players in football. Nowakowski explained why that matters while speaking during the Steelers' media availability.
"It’s awesome," Nowakowski said. "I went through college with [Herbig], worked out with him a lot, getting that opportunity now to train with guys that are such high-caliber players. They're always pushing each other and pushing people around them, so it's huge to have those figures in my life."
Nowakowski is not just talking about having famous teammates. He is talking about being around players who set a standard. Watt and Herbig are not casual offseason workers. They have built reputations around intensity, explosion, and constant development. For a young player whose job may depend on blocking, special teams, and physical reliability, being pushed by that kind of group can only help.
That is especially important because Nowakowski’s path is not simple. The Steelers selected him with the 169th overall pick after his final college season at Indiana. He appeared in 16 games in 2025 and finished with 32 receptions for 387 yards and two touchdowns, while also scoring twice on the ground. Pittsburgh did not draft him just to stand on the sideline. The team sees a useful offensive piece.
The question is how quickly he can become trusted. Nowakowski played fullback, inline tight end, and H-back in college. That versatility is valuable, but it also means he has a lot to learn. The Steelers can move him around, but only if he proves he can handle assignments from different spots. A missed block from a fullback or tight end can wreck a play just as quickly as a missed assignment from an offensive lineman.
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Steelers tight end Riley Nowakoski catches a pass during his time at the University of Indiana in a game against the Oregon Ducks in 2025.
That is why his offseason training environment matters. If Nowakowski is working with Watt and Herbig, he is getting a daily example of what NFL urgency looks like. He is seeing how established players prepare, compete, recover, and push one another. That exposure can accelerate a rookie’s understanding of what it takes to survive in the league.
The Steelers have already shown interest in using Nowakowski as more than a traditional fullback. His versatility made him an appealing pick, and his role could become even more interesting under new head coach Mike McCarthy. Pittsburgh’s offense has needed a physical connector who can line up in different places and help the run game without being completely ignored as a receiver.
That was part of why his selection already looked like a clear direction for the offense. The Steelers added a player who could help them keep a hard-nosed identity while giving the staff flexibility with personnel.
Steelers Could Have A Rookie Learning The Right Way
Nowakowski still has to prove it when the pads come on. Training with great players does not guarantee a roster role, offensive snaps, or instant production. It does, however, give him a better chance to understand the standard before training camp becomes a grind. For a fifth-round rookie, that is not a small thing.
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Outside linebackers Nick Herbig (left) and TJ Watt (right) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers do not need Nowakowski to become a star right away. They need him to be dependable, physical, smart, and willing to do the difficult work that does not always show up in the box score. If Watt and Herbig are pushing him, Nowakowski is getting one of the best introductions possible to Pittsburgh’s culture. For a rookie trying to earn trust, that could be huge.
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