The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially re-signed punter Cameron Johnston to a one-year contract extension, announced Tuesday. Johnston, who played for the Steelers in 2024, returns after spending part of the previous season with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. This move aims to strengthen the team’s special teams unit ahead of the upcoming NFL season.
Johnston’s 2025 Season Performance and Recent History
In the 2025 NFL season, Cameron Johnston appeared in four games across two teams, punting seven times for the Bills with a 44-yard average and four times for the Giants with a 45.5-yard average. His time with the Steelers in 2024 was cut short by a season-ending injury after just two punts in the season opener. Despite initially signing a three-year contract with Pittsburgh in March 2024, he was released in August 2025.
Career Highlights and NFL Experience
Johnston began his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, where he played for four seasons. Notably, in 2020 he ranked fourth in the league for both punting yards (3,318) and net punting yards (2,924). After his time in Philadelphia, he signed with the Houston Texans in 2021, leading the NFL in punting yards (4,108) and total punts (88) that year. During the 2023 season with Houston, Johnston played in 13 games, recording 66 punts for 3,145 yards. One of his standout moments that year was a 74-yard punt in Week 8, marking the longest in Texans’ team history.
Early Years and Background of Cameron Johnston
Before entering the NFL, Johnston played college football at Ohio State University, where he earned the Big Ten Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year award in 2016 and was part of the 2014 national championship team. He hails from Geelong, Victoria, Australia, and initially played Australian rules football before switching his focus to punting. Johnston credits much of his development to Nathan Chapman at Pro Kick Australia, a mentor who helped guide him into the NFL ranks.
“Nathan Chapman at Pro Kick Australia – he was a big reason I got into punting. I played Australian rules football but that didn’t work out for me,” Johnston said. “But I found out about his program afterwards and have relied on him now for the past 11-to-12 years. Without him I wouldn’t be here. His mentorship and coaching – he’s done a wonderful job with the program and there are so many guys he’s sent now to the NFL.” – Cameron Johnston, Punter
Implications of Johnston’s Return to Pittsburgh
Re-acquiring Cameron Johnston on a one-year deal reflects the Steelers’ cautious approach to securing a reliable punter, considering his injury history and previous release. Johnston’s extensive experience across multiple teams and proven ability to deliver long, accurate punts provides Pittsburgh with depth and stability on special teams. His return also signifies an opportunity for Johnston to regain his form and prove his value moving forward in the NFL. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how this signing impacts the Steelers’ kicking game during the upcoming season.
