Steelers A to Z: Blocking punts is specialty of special teams captain Miles Killebrew

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of 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 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

S Miles Killebrew

Experience/age: Ninth season/31

Contract status: $2.255 million cap hit, signed through 2025

The past: In his eighth NFL season and third with the Steelers, Killebrew hit a milestone when he was named to the Pro Bowl and became a first-team All-Pro selection for the first time. It was a reward for the special teams contributions Killebrew made with the Steelers.

Last season, Killebrew had one blocked punt for a safety against Baltimore, and he got a piece of a punt that traveled 11 yards and led to a Steelers touchdown against New England.

In three seasons with the Steelers, Killebrew has been credited with three official blocked punts, and coach Mike Tomlin has referred to Killebrew as the best in the business at deflecting punts. Such proficiency contributed to Killebrew being named special teams captain the past two seasons.

Killebrew’s timing couldn’t have been better. He was eligible for free agency but opted to cash in with the Steelers, accepting a two-year contract worth $6.5 million and included a signing bonus in excess of $2 million.

.@steelers @Miles_Killebrew with the Blocked Punt Safety. Lots of ways to win games #specialteams #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/xiKmWWOczT

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 10, 2023

2024 outlook: Killebrew is the unquestioned leader of the special teams and a respected leader in the locker room.

The Steelers also value Killebrew’s contributions when he is asked to play defense. Because of injuries in the secondary, Killebrew made one start and played 10% of the defensive snaps in 2023. That sounds like a modest number, but it represented the most playing time for Killebrew since 2017, his second year in the NFL with the Detroit Lions. His 26 tackles also were the most for Killebrew in seven seasons.

Make no mistake, though, the Steelers gave Killebrew a two-year deal so he could continue providing stellar special teams play. That is how he will carve his niche on the roster this season.