The Pittsburgh Steelers have featured a full tight end room the past couple seasons. That was particularly the case in 2025 when the team had five tight ends on its offseason roster who had started at least five games in their most recent campaigns — Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Jonnu Smith, Donald Parham and Connor Heyward.
Three of those five tight ends, though, were not on the Steelers roster when this offseason began. On Sunday, Steelers Depot’s Joe Clark proposed the possibility of the team reuniting with one of them.
But probably not the one readers would expect — Parham.
The 28-year-old didn’t play a down for the Steelers last season. Parham suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during OTAs in June. Still, Clark argued the Steelers should entertain the idea of Parham returning in 2026.
“The Steelers liked Parham enough to sign him last offseason, but a torn Achilles in OTAs ended his season. Obviously, that’s a severe injury, but we’ve seen athletes recover faster and more effectively from it in recent years,” wrote Clark.
“Pittsburgh would need to be comfortable with Parham’s medicals, and they likely know where he’s at better than other teams. But assuming his injury hasn’t completely zapped him of his athleticism, Parham could add depth to the tight end room.”
Clark sees Parham adding depth to a Steelers tight end depth chart that includes just JJ Galbreath behind Freiermuth and Washington.
What Donald Parham Could Bring to the Steelers
GettyVeteran tight end Donald Parham was on the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 offseason roster until he sustained a season-ending injury during the summer.
It’s important to note that the Steelers didn’t have all five of those previously mentioned tight ends, along with Galbreath, on the 2025 offseason roster at the same time. The Steelers might not have acquired Smith if not for the Parham injury.
Tight ends might also not be featured as much in Pittsburgh’s offense next season. Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith deployed two-tight end sets as much as just about anybody in the league last year.
Freiermuth, Smith and Washington all played at least 50% of the team’s offensive snaps in 2025.
But Parham doesn’t have to play that much to be effective, and he’s not a candidate to receive that much playing time for any team anyway. The Steelers could bring back Parham as insurance in case something serious happens to Freiermuth or Washington over the summer.
Parham has never had a 300-yard season. He also hasn’t played since 2023. But he’d be familiar depth on a roster that needs more of that at tight end.
Steelers TE Depth Entering the 2026 NFL Draft
GettySteelers Depot’s Joe Clark argued the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider bringing back veteran tight end Donald Parham for Mike McCarthy’s first season with the team.
Without Smith and Heyward, the Steelers have just three tight ends remaining on their offseason roster. One of those, Galbreath, has never appeared in an NFL regular season game.
The Steelers could use one of their league-leading 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire more tight end depth. But that wouldn’t bring anymore experience to the group.
Parham would do that with an outside chance of making the roster as a third or fourth tight end.
Parham’s best statistical season came in 2023 when he had 27 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns. He played 460 offensive snaps that season.
Parham spent the 2024 NFL season on the Denver Broncos practice squad. All of his NFL regular season experience has been with the Las Angeles Chargers.
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