In Pittsburgh, black and gold are more than just colour, standard, and this week pays homage to a new beginning that has become so gloomy. Donald Perham Jr. is a newly signed tight end with a story rooted in perseverance, who tore his Achilles during team OTA. Seasons that have not yet started end before snaps are taken. The 27-year-old has been poised to add size and speed to the Steelers’ attacks with a fresh breakout campaign with chargers, and is now facing a slow, quiet path of recovery. What Pittsburgh had envisioned at Perham may never take the field, and that Perham wanted him to be in the Steel City may have to wait if it arrives.
A quiet break in the middle of hope
With a field aimed at preparing, celebration and careful construction of the identity of the roster, misfortune made an entrance without warning. Donald Perham Jr. crumpled himself into the grass only in his first offseason as a steeler. There were no pads or roars from the crowd. It’s just a quiet realization that something important has been hindered.
Perham was never expected to become a star of the show, but he was expected to be important. Standing 6 feet 8, he is a rare physical entity that has given Pittsburgh’s Red Zone attack a new dimension. His 27 catches, 285 yards and four touchdowns last year weren’t flashy numbers, but they hinted at growth. Seeing the value, the Steelers signed him a one-year contract to strengthen the tight end room built around Pat Freyermut. And now? Now they are forced to reconsider that plan without him.
Steelers optionally weighs Flux’s tight end room
Perham’s injuries promptly caused movement in the Steelers’ front office. The team reportedly rekindled discussions with Dolphins about tight end Jonusmith. It is a name that brings you experience, athletic ability and most importantly, health. Smith is away from a career year, which is 884 yards, eight touchdowns and a nod to his first Pro Bowl.
Source: Steelers tight end Donald Perham Jr. suffered from Achilles being torn in today’s OTA. Brutal injuries. https://t.co/fyipieiizu pic.twitter.com/mxyxkqh8id
-Adam Scha After (@adamscha after) June 3, 2025
But Smith’s acquisition isn’t just going to replace Perham if it happens. It’s about securing a corps of tight ends that now require more than depth. Identity is required. Freiermuth remains a starter and is steady and trusted, but behind him the puzzle is incomplete. Parham was meant to be a complementary piece, a wildcard in the two-tight set, and a red zone mismatch. His losses are stabbed not only because he may have been, but also because he is.
For now, the Steelers face uncertainty. We’re still navigating tight end rooms that adjust on the spot and broader questions that define our outlook for 2025.
Rogers’ decision is looming heavily on the horizon of the season
Once Perham’s season is over, the next chapter of the Steelers remains untouched as Penn is in Aaron Rodgers’ hands. Future Hall of Fame is yet to be decided, and Pittsburgh is suspended and waiting in a kind of strategic range. If the Rodgers join, the attack will instantly turn into a candidate machine. Otherwise, Mason Rudolph – sturdy but not visible – step farther.
It’s hard not to wonder how much a player like Parham has benefited from a quarterback like the Rodgers. Perham’s massive catch radius combined with Rogers’ surgical accuracy may have been of beauty on fall Sundays. Instead, it will be another what-if of a sport filled with them.
Twenty years ago, the NFL made Aaron Rodgers wait for the draft.
Twenty years later, Aaron Rodgers is waiting for the Steelers and the NFL in free agency. pic.twitter.com/kiurjcxtoj
– Obviously (not) Tomlin (@tomlin_sense) June 2, 2025
The Steelers will have a season against the Jets (former Rodgers team) on September 7th. It’s clear whether Pittsburgh is looking at Rogers under the center, Jonus Smith is tight end, or Perham is looking at the crutch sidelines.
