Steelers A to Z: Ben Skowronek proved a nice acquisition as ‘gunner,’ depth receiver

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

WR BEN SKOWRONEK

Experience/age: Fifth season, 28

Contract status: $1.71 million cap hit in 2025, signed through 2026

The past: Skowronek entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in April 2021 — six months after he had arguably the best game of his college career at what was then called Heinz Field against Pitt: touchdown receptions of 34 and 73 yards in a 45-3 Notre Dame win. Skowronek had played four prior college seasons at Northwestern. In three seasons with the Rams, Skowronek played in 50 of 56 possible games (including playoffs), earning a Super Bowl ring after having two catches for 12 yards and a special-teams tackle in Los Angeles’ win in the big game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Skowronek had 58 catches for 575 yards and one touchdown, plus another touchdown rushing and 22 tackles in three seasons for the Rams.

But L.A. traded Skowronek to the Houston Texans in May 2024. He did not survive final roster cuts, though, at the end of their preseason. The Steelers signed him to their practice squad the next day. Added to the active roster before the season opener, Skowronek — when healthy — spent the season as the Steelers’ WR4 and a “core” special teamer. Skowronek did miss six games because of a shoulder injury and the Dec. 25 game because of a hip injury.

“I came here with an expectation to play,” said Ben Skowronek. “I feel like if you don’t have that mindset you shouldn’t be in the building, so I wanna play and I wanna help this team win a championship.” @C_AdamskiTribhttps://t.co/PS1icDiTzf

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) December 12, 2024

2025 outlook: Skowronek fit in so well with the Steelers that they re-signed him to a two-year, $4.475 million deal early in the free agency period. Though his lone offensive statistics last season were five catches for 69 yards, he was a bigger part of the gameplan as the season went on. Skowronek played at least 23% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in four of his final seven games. He was featured in multiple subpackages designed by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, often in run-heavy situations to take advantage of Skowronek’s blocking.

But it was on special teams that Skowronek endeared himself most. Coach Mike Tomlin multiple times remarked about Skowronek’s abilities as a “gunner” on punt coverage. Skowronek had seven special-teams tackles and recovered two fumbles.

With DK Metcalf the WR1, Skowronek offensively slots in again in the range of WR4 or WR5. But as the position room stands now, there are no receivers aside from Metcalf who are clearly far above him on the depth chart. Expect the 6-foot-3, 224-pound Skowronek to again serve as a depth WR and continue his prominent duties on special teams.