Steelers Work Out Veteran Wide Receiver
The Pittsburgh Steelers worked out veteran wide receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Agnew, 29, played the last three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He recorded 61 receptions for 641 yards (10.5 average) and five touchdowns during his three-year tenure in Jacksonville. He also registered 1,463 yards on kick returns and 423 yards on punt returns.
Agnew was a fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions out of San Diego in the 2017 NFL Draft. He broke out in his rookie year with two returned punts for touchdowns and was named first-team All-Pro as a returner. In Week 2, Agnew scored his first NFL touchdown on an 88-yard punt return in the fourth quarter in a 24–10 win over the New York Giants, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. In Week 6, against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded a 74-yard punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Agnew finished the 2017 season with 29 punt returns for 447 net yards and two punt return touchdowns to go along with 11 kickoff returns for 196 net yards. He led the NFL in punt return yards and punt return touchdowns that season.
Agnew signed a three-year, $14.25 million contract with the Jaguars in March of 2021. In a Week 2 loss to the Denver Broncos, he scored his first touchdown for the Jaguars with a 102-yard kickoff return, setting a franchise record for the longest kick return in team history. On Sept. 26, 2021, the following week against the Arizona Cardinals, he scored another touchdown on a 109-yard return off a missed 68-yard field goal attempt, tying the NFL record for longest play with Antonio Cromartie and Cordarrelle Patterson, at the end of the first half in the 31-19 loss. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September.
Last season, Agnew averaged 10.3 yard per punt return and 26.1 yards per kick return. He recorded a 48-yard punt return and a 53-yard kick return during the season. He also was productive as a receiver, catching 14 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown, which went for 65 yards against the Baltimore Ravens.
George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller were the five wide receivers to make the Steelers’ initial 53-man roster. All-Pro Cordarrelle Patterson is slotted to be the Steelers’ kick returner, so the club could be looking for additional wide receiver help or a punt returner.
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