Steelers’ Ben Skowronek Unleashes Big-Time Enforcer Mindset

The Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver room has no shortage of flash, speed, and pedigree. One depth piece is turning heads, not with his route-running or touchdown grabs, but with his willingness to hit. When the Steelers added Ben Skowronek, they weren’t just getting another body for training camp competition. They added a player who’s perfectly comfortable doing the dirty work, an enforcer of sorts among a group largely known for finesse.

Skowronek is being looked at to be reliable physically from an offensive standpoint. Beneath the surface lies a player who’s carved out a reputation by embracing a gritty, selfless role that few receivers welcome. In a receiver room filled with speed and finesse, Skowronek offers something different: grit, physicality, and a willingness to do the dirty work that doesn’t show up on stat sheets. Skowronek spoke to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor about this.

“I had to step in and do a lot of stuff in the run game, but it's really, be physical, or they're going to find someone else who can be physical,” Skowronek said. “I enjoy kind of being the enforcer out there for the receiver room.”

That quote doesn’t just describe his role it defines his identity. Skowronek, who came over from the Los Angeles Rams after three seasons, understands the exact margins where jobs are won or lost in the NFL. And for a player drafted 249th overall back in 2021, he’s used to proving his worth with more than just stats. But it was his blocking that kept him in the Rams’ lineup when the offense struggled to find rhythm.

Now in Pittsburgh, Skowronek plays with a clear purpose. The Steelers’ offensive identity under Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will likely center around physicality, both in the run game and in short-area passing. Skowronek’s mentality fits right into that mold. He’s not lobbying for WR1 targets or splashy plays. Instead, he’s doing the things that rarely show up on fantasy stat sheets but make a real difference on third-and-short or in the red zone.

The Steelers’ receiver room has seen some big changes in recent months. George Pickens was traded to Dallas, DK Metcalf was brought in from Seattle, and veteran Robert Woods was brought in to round out the competition. 

Skowronek is carving out a niche that may prove to be irreplaceable if the offense leans into its power identity. And while it's tempting to focus on the flashy camp battles between the younger names, the real meat of this roster often comes down to who’s willing to do the tough jobs. Skowronek’s brand of football echoes some of the physical presence the team once had with players like Hines Ward, who made a living punishing defenders while still putting up numbers. 

Skowronek’s presence could also take some pressure off Pittsburgh’s younger receivers. While Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III bring speed, they’re not expected to take on the kind of physical assignments Skowronek embraces. His ability to do the dirty work frees others to focus on the finesse parts of their game.

Steelers Could Benefit From Ben Skowronek’s Old-School Approach

With training camp approaching, roles will begin to clarify. Skowronek still has to earn his spot, and Pittsburgh’s receiver depth chart is crowded with players fighting for limited real estate. But if Smith and Mike Tomlin truly want a physical brand of football, they’ll be hard-pressed to find someone more fitting. 

At the very least, Skowronek is showing younger players what it means to compete with toughness and humility. And that, more than anything, could make him an invaluable piece of the 2025 puzzle.

Will Skowronek’s physicality be enough to secure him a key role in the Steelers’ offense?