The Pittsburgh Steelers made a move to pay punter Cameron Johnston a three-year, $9 million contract. Johnston suffered a devastating season-ending knee injury in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, which immediately disrupted the team’s special teams plans. Before the injury, Johnston had impressed Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff with his accuracy, hang time, and ability to control field position, making him one of the most reliable punters in the league.
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In Johnston’s absence, Corliss Waitman took over punting duties for the 2024 season and delivered a strong performance. Waitman showcased a powerful leg and solid placement skills, helping the Steelers maintain stability in the punting game. Despite his success, the organization remained committed to Johnston, signaling their belief in his long-term value by locking him in with a multi-year deal. Of course that was prior to his injury.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly discussed the situation on the Kaboly + Mack podcast and highlighted why the team still views Johnston as the superior option. Kaboly said Johnston is "just different," pointing to his consistency, control, and overall impact on the game. The Steelers are optimistic that Johnston will fully recover and return to form, giving them a clear edge in the often-overlooked but critical battle for field position.
"We're still talking about in a very controlled environment, but Cam Johnston - man," Kaboly said. "You have to understand they gave him a nice boatload of money last year and he lasted about two quarters. And I know Corliss Waitman filled in admirably, but this guy's just different and he tore that knee up pretty good in September. So we're looking at eight, nine months away. He's booming the he** out of the ball."
It's pretty rare for a new punter to arrive in Pittsburgh with sky-high expectations, and it's even more uncommon for one to be labeled a potential star before proving himself in regular season play. Yet that was exactly the case with Johnston. Despite not having played much for the Steelers, he quickly generated buzz within the organization and among fans.
His preseason performance turned heads in 2024, and he appeared poised to be a major asset on special teams. Unfortunately, his previously mentioned knee injury derailed his season. The injury was especially frustrating because Johnston had shown so much promise in a short amount of time.
During the preseason, his punts consistently demonstrated elite hang time, precise placement, and the ability to control field position. Even in limited action against Atlanta, it was clear why the Steelers were so excited about adding him to the roster. While it's still difficult to fully gauge his potential impact, all signs pointed to Johnston becoming one of the more valuable special teams players on the team.
Steelers Appear To Have Cam Johnston Back And Healthy
Looking ahead to 2025, Johnston appears to be healthy and ready to take over as the Steelers' starting punter. The team gave him a significant contract before the 2024 season, showing just how much confidence they have in his abilities. Now, with a full recovery behind him and a new season approaching, Johnston will finally have the chance to show what he can do. If he performs as expected, he could become a steady and reliable force in the field position battle that the Steelers put so much emphasis on.
If Johnston lives up to the expectations the Steelers placed on him, his return could quietly become one of the most important storylines of the 2025 season. Special teams often fly under the radar, but a reliable punter can make a massive difference over the course of a long year, especially for a team that expects to play in close, physical games. Steeler Nation will continue to monitor Johnston's progress as OTAs move forward.
