A potential breakout wide receiver is turning heads in Pittsburgh during the 2025 offseason. While the Steelers’ wide receiver unit features familiar names like DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, there’s still room for someone further down the depth chart to make an impact. This presents a golden opportunity for a lesser-known player to shine during the summer and push for a spot on the final 53-man roster.
So far, Brandon Johnson has seized that opportunity. The 26-year-old wideout has impressed both on the field and with his work ethic, catching the eye of Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni—a longtime believer in Johnson’s talent. Azzanni’s relationship with Johnson dates back several years and multiple teams.
“I don’t overlook him,” Azzanni said. “This is the third time I’ve had the chance to coach him. I recruited him to Tennessee, got him into Denver, and now he’s here. He’s done the work every time. I really pushed for us to sign him, and I’m glad the team listened. He’s a sneaky good player, and I’m excited about what he brings. He’s the kind of guy we want—coachable, tough, and consistent.”
Azzanni first worked with Johnson at the University of Tennessee during his freshman year. The duo reunited in the NFL in 2022 when Johnson signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent and Azzanni was his position coach. Johnson made a modest impact as a rookie, playing in seven games and recording six catches for 42 yards and one touchdown.
He made a bigger leap in 2023, catching 19 passes for 284 yards and scoring four touchdowns for Denver. Despite those contributions, he was let go during final roster cuts in August. However, Azzanni, who joined the Steelers staff in 2024, advocated for bringing Johnson aboard in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers added Johnson to their practice squad last season, where he spent most of the year developing and preparing for another opportunity. He was elevated to the active roster for three games—the maximum allowed—and played 19 total snaps, catching one pass for nine yards.
In January, Pittsburgh signed him to a reserve/futures contract, ensuring he would return for offseason workouts and training camp. Since then, Johnson has made the most of every opportunity. During Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp, he’s reportedly been a standout, consistently producing during drills and catching the attention of coaches and teammates alike.
As training camp approaches, Johnson is positioning himself as a dark horse candidate to earn a more permanent role in the Steelers’ receiving corps. His familiarity with Azzanni’s coaching style and system gives him an edge, and his recent performance suggests he’s ready to capitalize.
With some uncertainty still lingering at the back end of the Steelers’ receiver rotation, Johnson has a real shot to claim a roster spot—and perhaps more—if he can carry his current momentum into preseason action.
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