Donald Parham Jr.’s debut season with the Pittsburgh Steelers appears to be cut short before it even started. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Parham suffered an Achilles tear during OTAs on Tuesday, and while the full extent of the injury is not yet clear, he may miss the entire 2025 season.
Parham joined the Steelers this offseason on a one-year deal worth $1.17 million. He began his NFL journey with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he contributed moderately over four seasons after going undrafted from Stetson.
At 27, Parham was poised for a breakout year and was expected to be a significant part of the Steelers’ offense this fall. Last season with the Chargers, he recorded 285 receiving yards, four touchdowns, and 27 catches.
This setback comes shortly after news that the Steelers have renewed trade discussions with Miami Dolphins tight end Kyle Pitts, who is negotiating a new contract. According to Schefter, the possibility of a trade between the two teams remains open. Pitts earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season, achieving career highs with 884 receiving yards, eight touchdowns, and 88 catches.
The tight end position remains unsettled for Pittsburgh—while they still have last year’s starter Pat Freyelms on the roster, it’s not the most critical void in their lineup. The biggest uncertainty surrounds free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose decision to join the Steelers is still pending with no set deadline. Should Rodgers decline, Mason Rudolph is likely to step in as quarterback.
The Steelers finished last season 10-7, marking their fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit. They are set to kick off the new season on September 7th against the Jets, Rodgers’ former team.
Fan Take: This injury to Parham is a tough blow for the Steelers, highlighting how unpredictable NFL careers can be and the importance of depth at key positions. For fans, it underscores the high stakes of offseason negotiations and player health, factors that can dramatically reshape the dynamics of a team’s season and the league as a whole.
