The Pittsburgh Steelers will enter 2026 free agency with a near full complement of tight ends. Pittsburgh added to that position group this week with a familiar former undrafted free agent — JJ Galbreath.
The Steelers announced signing Galbreath to a reserve/future contract Friday. The 2025 undrafted free agent is back in Pittsburgh for the first time since September.
“Galbreath appeared in 45 games for South Dakota, pulling in 93 receptions for 1,355 yards and 12 touchdowns,” wrote Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley. “In 2024, he appeared in 10 games, finishing with 32 receptions for 469 yards and four touchdowns.
“He was named first team Associated Press All-American and first team All-Conference. In addition, he was a third team Phil Steele All-American.”
After spending the summer in Pittsburgh, Galbreath didn’t make the Steelers roster at the end of the preseason. Then about three weeks after joining the Steelers practice squad, the team released the tight end altogether.
But last offseason, Galbreath turned heads during offseason workouts. So, certain sects of the Steelers fanbase could be very excited he’s returned.
“Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tight end JJ Galbreathis impressing his teammates early on at OTAs,” wrote PennLive.com’s Nick Farabaugh on June 9, 2025. “When Donald Parham went down, Galbreath was someone who stepped up with more chances, and proved he deserved those opportunities.”
Steelers Sign TE JJ Galbreath to Futures Contract
The 2025 undrafted free agent didn’t find a job with another team to end 2025. But he’s heading back to Pittsburgh to fight for a role next season.
In his final college season at South Dakota during 2024, Galbreath recorded 32 receptions, 469 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Behind those marks, he earned several All-American and All-Conference team nominations.
Fellow 2025 rookie and sixth-round quarterback Will Howard told reporters how much he enjoyed throwing to Galbreath last June.
“That’s the guy, man. We’ve been doing a lot of work, us rookies together and walking through stuff after every practice,” Howard said of Galbreath, via The Pittsburgh DSEN. “Every rep that we don’t get, making sure we bang those out.”
With Galbreath, the Steelers have signed 21 players to reserve/futures contracts. The Steelers made their first batch of reserve contract signings on January 14.
Galbreath became the first tight end the team has inked to a futures deal this offseason.
Steelers Offseason TE Depth
Galbreath couldn’t find a role with the Steelers in part because of the crowded tight end room the team possessed last year. Although the team is going through a coaching change, the Pittsburgh tight end depth chart might not be all that different in 2026.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith are all under contract for next season. The most notable unrestricted free agent tight end the Steelers have is Connor Heyward.
However, Heyward played a unique role with the Steelers in their “tush push” formation, which they called “Spartan.” Heyward is likely to be cheap on the free agent market too.
If the Steelers bring back Heyward, then Galbreath will face an uphill battle to a roster spot.
The best case scenario for Galbreath would be Heyward departs in free agency or the new coaching staff parts ways with Smith. A favorite of Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who may not return for 2026, Smith was one of the worst tight ends in the league during 2025 according to some analytics.
If Heyward or Smith are not on the roster, Galbreath would have a chance in Pittsburgh as a depth tight end.
Steelers Bring Back Former OTA Standout With Another Offseason Signing