Considering it’s been since Christmas Eve 2023 since he’d last scored a touchdown during the regular season, Brandon Johnson wasn’t going to complain that his most recent score came in a preseason game.

Johnson had the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first points — a 2-yard touchdown reception from Mason Rudolph — in this past Saturday’s preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It always feels good to get the end zone,” Johnson said before Tuesday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “No matter the venue, no matter the setting, preseason or not, it always feels good.”

— NFL Touchdown Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) August 17, 2025

Johnson’s touchdown reflects the plays he’s been making at times over the course of training camp. And while that might tempt Johnson to believe he could make the season-opening active roster, from experience he knows better than to assume.

After all, it was just last summer as he was about to embark on a third season with the Denver Broncos that Johnson had two catches for 83 yards and a 46-yard touchdown in the preseason finale Aug. 25.

Two days later, he was waived.

Picked up by the Steelers (to their practice squad) later that week, Johnson is approaching the one-year anniversary of his tenure with the team. Though that since has included just three games, one target, one catch and 19 snaps played in the regular season, Johnson believes he can contribute more significantly.

“I always feel like that,” the 27-year-old Johnson said. “Just like all of us, I’m confident in what I can do. I just look forward to any opportunity I get to be able to showcase that.”

He just might get that chance for the Steelers, who have star DK Metcalf and a bunch of question marks after him on the wide receiver depth chart. Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek are assured roster spots, if healthy. But in regards to camp performance alone, Johnson and Scotty Miller have been the next men up.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Johnson has gotten a share of first-team reps throughout camp. And he comes armed with five touchdowns and 26 catches of NFL experience — most of which (20 games) coming with the Russell Wilson-led Broncos of 2022-23.

“I think I’ve done well. There’s always room for improvement,” Johnson said of his camp and preseason. “I’ve been trying to put my best foot forward every day and just trying to do my job and help this team in any way I can.”

The Steelers reportedly hosted veteran free agent Gabe Davis for a visit Tuesday. But if no other outside acquisition is brought in, Johnson is likely in a competition with Miller, veteran Robert Woods and undrafted rookie Ke’Shawn Williams for — at most — two roster spots.

After 51 weeks with the organization, Johnson is feeling at home.

“I mean, I did last year as well,” he said, “but definitely just being here for almost a full year now there’s a lot of familiarity with the team and how this organization operates.

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