Steelers' Newly Added MyCole Pruitt Will Have To Fight For 53-Man Roster Spot

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently signed another familiar face for new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith by bringing in MyCole Pruitt. Pruitt, 32, was a part of Smith's offense when they were together with the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons. As the Steelers look to create a new identity on the offensive side of the ball in 2024, Pittsburgh will have to add pieces to their offense that Smith has familiarity with. 

Pruitt, entering his 10th season however, will be fighting for a roster spot with the Steelers this offseason. He will be joining a tight end room in Pittsburgh that already has guys like Pat Freiermuth, Connor Heyward, Darnell Washington, and Rodney Williams. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was recently asked why Pittsburgh decided to bring Pruitt into the young, developing offense. 

"He played for Smith in Atlanta and he can be camp competition for Connor Heyward. I'm not convinced he makes the 53-man roster. He didn't do a lot with the Falcons last season."

In all 17 games with Atlanta last season, Pruitt accounted for nine catches, 110 yards and one touchdown. Through 10 years, the tight end has only caught 71 passes for 748 yards and 12 touchdowns. Although the numbers are pretty low, Pruitt is better used as a blocker and helps Smith run is rush attack. The Steelers however, won't need too many more blocking tight ends in 2024, as Washington was used just the same last season. 

Washington wasn't used much at all in the pass attack and only seemed to be on the field to help block for running plays. The Steelers typically keep three tight ends on the 53-man roster, and it's difficult to see Pruitt beating either Heyward or Washington out for a spot. 

Unless the Steelers decide to keep four tight ends on the roster, Pruitt likely won't have a jersey for the regular season. Although it could potentially be possible that the Steelers and Smith do keep all four of them (excluding Williams) on the roster in order to run their new offense. As Fittipaldo said previously, Pruitt will likely be used as competition for Heyward to get the best out of him going into the season. The Steelers and Pruitt agreed to a small deal that's one year worth around $1.2 million. 

Not only did the Steelers add Pruitt to Smith's new offense, they also added Van Jefferson and Cordarrelle Patterson, who also both played under Smith in Atlanta. The Steelers have now gone out and grabbed three offensive pieces in free agency to help Smith settle in a new offense.

What Will Smith's Offense Look Like With The Steelers?

The Steelers will look to have a run-heavy offense with Smith next season with running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren leading the charge. A physical, smash-mouth rush attack, with a dynamic play-action pass game ran by quarterback Russell Wilson will be the Steelers' recipe for success on the offensive side of the ball. Pruitt has been a part of many of these offenses under Smith's play-calling. Smith led Pruitt and the Titans' offense to an AFC Championship appearance in the 2020 season. 

The Steelers have continued to improve their rushing attack over the last few seasons, but this year, it will have to be spot on all year around. Pittsburgh has grown as an organization this offseason by making critical changes at the quarterback spot and offensive coordinator.