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Steelers Just Added a Freak Athlete at Tight End - And Hardly Anyone Noticed

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed South Dakota tight end as an undrafted free agent, the team announced on Saturday.

JJ Galbreath

 

JJ Galbreath is a 6-foot-3 3/8, 231-pound tight end that put up fantastic athletic testing scores in the pre-draft process, with a 4.67-second 40-yard dash, a 4.20-second shuttle, 6.82-second three-cone, 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-3 broad jump for an 8.4 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score.

A three-year starter for the Coyotes, Galbreath recorded 1,355 yards on 93 catches and had 12 touchdowns over his four-year college career.

Steelers Rookie Tight End Leaning on His Athleticism - Yahoo Sports

The native of Arvada, Colorado joined South Dakota in 2020, redshirted during the canceled COVID-19 season, and then began his career in 2021 as a reserve tight end. He became a starter in 2022, became and honorable mention All-Missouri Valley pick in 2023 and was a first-team All-MVFC and an All-American as a senior in 2024.

His most productive collegiate games came as a senior in the FCS playoffs in 2024, when he had six catches each, for 45 yards against UC Davis and 68 yards against Montana State.

Steelers Rookie Tight End Leaning on His Athleticism

The Steelers have added a number of players from the MVFC in recent years. They drafted quarterback Chris Oladokun (2022) and guard Mason McCormick (2024) from South Dakota State, and had North Dakota State tight end Noah Gindorff (2023), outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka (2021) and guard Joe Haeg (2021) on their team.

The Steelers will add Galbreath to a relatively thin spot on their roster. Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward are set to return at tight end from 2024, with Donald Parham the lone addition so far, replacing MyCole Pruitt.

The Steelers have now signed a total of seven undrafted free agents following the close of the 2025 NFL Draft on Sunday: Galbreath, Memphis wide receiver Roc Taylor, Minnesota-Duluth guard Aiden Williams, Indiana wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams, Iowa safety Sebastian Castro, Pitt kicker Ben Sauls and South Alabama fullback/tight end DJ Thomas-Jones.

New England Defensive Star Returns, Patriots Ready to Defeat Steelers in Week 3 NFL Game at Gillette
New England Defensive Star Returns, Patriots Ready to Defeat Steelers in Week 3 NFL Game at Gillette Foxborough, September 18, 2025 After weeks of concern over injury status, New England Patriots fans have finally received great news: talented young cornerback Christian Gonzalez has returned to practice and is almost certain to participate in the crucial matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 of the NFL. Gonzalez, who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Patriots’ defense. In his rookie season, he made a strong impression with his speed, ability to read plays, and decisive defensive plays. Despite a shoulder injury that forced him to miss most of the 2023 season, Gonzalez made a strong comeback in 2024 with 59 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions, even scoring a memorable touchdown. This performance earned him a spot on the Second-Team All-Pro, making him the greatest hope for the Patriots’ secondary. Gonzalez’s return at this critical moment is immensely significant. The Steelers boast a youthful, dynamic offense, with a group of high-speed receivers always ready to break through opposing defenses. Gonzalez’s presence will help the Patriots fortify their defensive wall, while also boosting the team’s confidence ahead of this highly anticipated, intense game. Head coach Mike Vrabel couldn’t hide his excitement when talking about his player: “Christian is a true warrior. He makes a difference every time he steps onto the field. The team not only gains a great player but also a huge source of inspiration from his fighting spirit. I believe Christian’s return will make us much more confident when facing the Steelers.” With Gonzalez’s return, the Patriots gain a critical weapon in the fiercely competitive AFC race. Fans are eagerly awaiting his peak performance, which will contribute to helping the Patriots secure a victory and assert their strength against a storied opponent like the Pittsburgh Steelers.