PITTSBURGH —During his media availability on Wednesday, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni raved about wide receiver Brandon Johnson . The two have a long history with each other, and Azzanni believes this could be a breakout year for the fourth-year pro.
"I don't overlook him because this is the third place I've coached him," Azzanni said. "I recruited him to Tennessee , I got him to Denver , he did the rest there. Helped get him here, thank God they listened to me and brought him here, because he's a sneaky good player. I'm really excited about where he's at, he can help us. I'm able to coach him hard, he's our type of player."
Johnson is in his second year with the Steelers, having spent the entire 2024 season on the practice squad after playing with the Denver Broncos in 2022 and 2023. Despite coming to Pittsburgh with a connection to quarterback Russell Wilson , Johnson never got much of a chance to prove what he could do in his first season in Pittsburgh.
With George Pickens now in Dallas and DK Metcalf not around for the first two weeks of OTA practices, Johnson found himself in an interesting position: the first team. Alongside Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin , it's been the unheralded Johnson with a big chance to show what he can do so far.
"It's a great opportunity," Johnson said after an OTAs practice in May. "I believe in myself. I'm just trying to do my best to do what I can and make the team and just contribute any way I can."
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Brandon Johnson at OTAs on May 29, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Johnson has a significant size advantage of the rest of the Steelers' top wide out options. Wilson (5-foot-11), Austin (5-foot-8) and Robert Woods (6-foot) aren't going to line up against the likes of Joey Porter Jr. and win with size and physicality.
Now in his second go-around in Arthur Smith's offense, Johnson also has a leg up on knowledge when compared to newcomers like Woods and undrafted free agent Roc Taylor .
Johnson understands that his chance may be fleeting. The Steelers have been shopping hard in the wide receiver market. It doesn't take much to go from the first team to off the team in the NFL — and he knows it.
"Never take any time in this league for granted," Johnson said. "I've seen guys come in one year and be gone the next. Never take anything for granted and put your best foot forward every day. You have to, otherwise your job will be gone."
One thing is for sure, Johnson will be a player to keep an eye on in training camp and the preseason.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Unheralded Steelers WR Could Make Noise in 2025: 'Sneaky Good Player'
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