Steelers claim punter Aidan Laros off waivers from Buccaneers, release WR Brandon Johnson

The Pittsburgh Steelers moved quickly to reshape their offseason depth by claiming punter Aidan Laros off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and, in the corresponding roster adjustment, releasing wide receiver Brandon Johnson, according to team-reported transaction coverage published Tuesday. The change indicates an immediate priority for Pittsburgh’s special teams group, where roster flexibility matters early in the offseason.

Laros, a punter from South Africa, spent his college career developing as a consistent downfield leg. Reports note he punted at Kentucky during his final two collegiate seasons and went undrafted in April. Over his entire college run, he averaged 45.8 yards per punt, a production mark that offers the Steelers a fresh option for field position and coverage coordination.

Before Kentucky, Laros played at Charlotte and Tennessee-Martin, giving him experience across different programs and styles of punt protection and return coordination. For Pittsburgh, adding a specialist through the waiver process also reflects a willingness to evaluate readiness outside the traditional draft pipeline, especially when the team is trying to stabilize its punting cadence and game-day roles.

Johnson’s release opened the necessary roster space for Laros. Coverage of the move indicates Pittsburgh released the wide receiver after Johnson’s earlier pro stops and his most recent time in the league. The transaction timing also underlines how specialist acquisitions often ripple through a team’s depth chart, even when a roster spot appears “minor” in the bigger view of an NFL season.

According to transaction context reported alongside the claim, Johnson recorded one catch for nine yards during a 2024 stint with the Steelers. His wider NFL production includes 25 receptions for 326 yards and five touchdowns across his first two NFL seasons with the Broncos. The Steelers’ decision suggests they may prefer to reallocate opportunities toward other receivers as their offseason roster continues to take shape.

The Buccaneers, meanwhile, no longer have Laros available after dropping him Monday. That part of the transaction matters for Tampa’s own offseason evaluation, since waiver movement can provide a data point on how a team values a specialist’s fit, execution under game conditions, and consistency relative to other options on the roster.

For Pittsburgh, the next test will be whether Laros can translate punting efficiency into reliable operational execution, including hang time, directional placement, and protection reads during offseason workouts and training camp. The Steelers’ receiver picture will also be watched in the wake of Johnson’s exit, as Pittsburgh continues to sort through depth candidates competing for roles behind the established targets.