Steelers make free-agent punter among highest-paid in NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers got their punter, but he’s going to cost them. The contract details have been revealed for the Steelers’ new deal with free-agent punter Cameron Johnston, and they’ll be paying a pretty penny to kick the ball away in 2024.

The Steelers the former Houston Texans punter have agreed to a three-year, $9 million contract, according to a report by Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.

The new deal with have Johnston tied as the fourth-highest-paid punter in terms of average annual value. Only Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks ($3.7 million per year), Jack Fox of the Detroit Lions ($3.5 million per year) and Tress Way of the Washington Commanders ($3.4 million per year) will make more than Johnston on an annual basis.

It will also represent a huge increase in the layout at the position for the team. The Steelers paid punter Pressley Harvin $960,000 in 2023. He had been set to earn $1.1 million in 2024, and his release created at $20,000 dead cap hit.

Johnston finished 14th in the NFL in the gross yards per punt in 2023, averaging 47.7 yards per kick. Harvin was 32nd at 43.8 yards per punt.

Johnston fared much better when comparing his net average, which was 43.7 yards per punt, good enough for a tie for fifth in the league. Harvin was 33rd in net average at 39.1.

He was also third in the NFL in fair catches forced, and sixth in the punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

Johnston, 32, is a native of Geelong, Australia. An Ohio State alum, he first joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, through which he has a connection with Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl. Johnston previously signed a three-year contract with the Texans in 2021.