The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t really getting the band back together, but they have re-signed a player who was part of the team’s Super Bowl run in 2010.
The team announced the signing of FB/TE David Johnson. UDFA tight end David Reeves was released in a corresponding move.
Johnson spent four years with the team, 2009-2013. Mainly used as a lead blocker, he caught just 22 passes and in 2011, his lone touchdown. He spent the last two seasons with the San Diego Chargers, again, used mostly as a blocker, especially when the team was without Antonio Gates for the first month of the season. He played 222 offensive snaps, according to Football Outsiders. Another 112 snaps came on special teams.
Johnson is likely to be used as an H-Back, filling in the void left by Will Johnson. Johnson offers more lead-blocking capabilities, however, and the Steelers were currently working without a clear candidate for the #2 FB job. He’ll likely slide into that role. His roster spot is far from secured, however, and he’ll likely have to find a way to beat out Matt Spaeth for the 3rd tight end spot. In Spaeth’s older, creakier age with very diminishing special teams value, that isn’t an impossible task.
