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.
LB Kyron Johnson
Experience/age: Third year/Turns 26 later this month
Contract status: $985,000 cap hit if he makes the team
The past: Johnson brought some NFL special teams experience when he joined the Steelers last October, a week after he was let go by the Philadelphia Eagles. Signed to the practice squad, Johnson appeared in six games down the stretch for the Steelers. He also was active for the wild-card playoff game at Buffalo.
Johnson logged 100 snaps on special teams, which was the role he filled in Philadelphia. Johnson was the Eagles’ sixth-round pick in 2022 and appeared in 16 games with them during his rookie season.
Johnson spent five years at Kansas, and he played inside and outside linebacker for the Jayhawks. He emerged as a potential draft pick when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds at the NFL Combine, and the Eagles selected him in the sixth round.
2024 outlook: At 6-foot, 235 pounds, Johnson is on the small side for an outside linebacker, but he tries to make up for it with his impressive speed. The Steelers are looking to round out the position group behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, plus top backup Nick Herbig.
Markus Golden was the fourth member of the group last season, but he was not re-signed. That opening could clear a path for Johnson to earn a roster spot, and he will be competing against former Baltimore Ravens player Jeremiah Moon and returning practice squad player David Perales.
Johnson brings value as a special teams player, and that experience carries an edge when final roster positions are determined.
