In an attempt to create competition for training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers are taking a chance on a former tight end with the Chiefs.
This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are making a number of big changes to their offensive line, starting at quarterback.
With the addition of Izaiah Gathings, they have now added yet another fresh face—one that fans of the Kansas City Chiefs will recognize—to the group of opponents at tight end. The arrival of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson to the Steelers this offseason has led to a quarterback change. Along with Troy Fautanu, a first-round tackle, the team also used three picks up front along the offensive line to select wideout Roman Wilson.
In an attempt to create competition for training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers are taking a chance on a former tight end with the Chiefs. Gathings, a former MTSU wide receiver, switched to tight end in the NFL and has a strong pass-catching reputation.
In his last season with the Blue Raiders, he caught 60 passes for 559 yards. Gathings signed with the Chiefs as a rookie free agency after the 2023 NFL Draft, however he had two spells with the franchise before ending his brief stay with the New York Jets.
Despite not making the squad, Gathings re-signed with Kansas City in late December, joining wide receiver Anthony Miller on the practice squad.
Gathings was another gamble by the Chiefs on a player from Middle Tennessee State, a minor program that has previously performed well for them.
Both linebacker Darius Harris and cornerback Charvarius Ward played their college ball there. The fascinating story of NFL training camp history charts the development and evolution of professional football in the US.
The core of a team’s training, these camps offer athletes a demanding setting in which to hone their craft, foster camaraderie, and get ready for the demanding NFL season.
NFL training camps had its origins in the early 1900s; the league was once known as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), and the first official camp was held in 1920.
Teams used to withdraw to secluded areas to concentrate only on football, away from the distractions of everyday life. These early camps were very different from the elaborate arrangements of today, frequently taking place at college campuses or small-town high schools.
The primary goals were simple: train the playbook, assess fresh talent, and get guys in condition.
