Ben Skowronek Bio
Bennett William Skowronek is an American professional football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). The Fort Wayne, Indiana native played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and Notre Dame Fighting Irish before being selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. Skowronek has built a reputation as a versatile offensive weapon capable of lining up at multiple positions, including fullback and tight end. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2025 for his exceptional work on special teams.
Early Life and Background
Skowronek grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and attended Homestead High School. During his junior season, he recorded 42 receptions for 841 yards and 12 touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to make plays downfield. As a senior, Skowronek elevated his performance, catching 53 passes for 805 yards and nine touchdowns. His outstanding play earned him first-team All-Indiana honors and the prestigious Mr. Indiana Football award for his position.
Path to the NFL
After high school, Skowronek enrolled at Northwestern University, where he immediately showcased his talent. Becoming a starter going into his sophomore year, he finished that season with 45 catches for 644 yards and five touchdowns. His production continued to grow during his junior year, when he recorded 45 receptions for 562 yards and two touchdowns. He delivered a memorable performance when he caught the game-clinching touchdown to lead the Wildcats to their first Big Ten West Division title by defeating No. 21 Iowa. Skowronek suffered a season-ending leg injury during his senior year after catching 12 passes for 141 yards in three games, forcing him to take a medical redshirt.
Following his injury-plagued senior season at Northwestern, Skowronek transferred to the University of Notre Dame as a graduate student. He made an immediate impact with the Fighting Irish, catching touchdown passes of 34 and 73 yards in a 45-3 victory over Pittsburgh. Skowronek finished his Notre Dame season with 29 catches for 439 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown.
Ben Skowronek Career
Los Angeles Rams (2021–2023)
Skowronek was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round with the 249th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 16, 2021. As a rookie, Skowronek appeared in 14 games with one start, finishing the season with 11 receptions for 133 receiving yards. He made his first career Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl LVI, recording two receptions for 12 yards in the Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 2022 season marked a significant expansion of Skowronek’s role. In a Week 6 win against the Carolina Panthers, he showcased his versatility by lining up at fullback and catching a 19-yard reception. That same game, he scored his first career touchdown on a 17-yard rushing play. Skowronek continued to embrace the hybrid fullback role throughout the season. In a pivotal 17-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, he led the team with seven catches for 89 receiving yards. Overall, he appeared in 14 games with 11 starts, recording 39 receptions for 376 receiving yards and one rushing touchdown.
During the 2023 season, Skowronek continued his hybrid wide receiver and fullback responsibilities. He played in all 17 games, logging eight receptions on 12 targets for 66 yards and two rushing attempts for nine yards. He also contributed 13 tackles on special teams, foreshadowing the Pro Bowl-level production he would later achieve in that phase of the game.
Houston Texans (2024)
On May 9, 2024, the Rams traded Skowronek along with a seventh-round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round pick. He was waived by the Texans on August 27, 2024, concluding his brief tenure with the team.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–Present)
Skowronek signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on August 29, 2024. He was promoted to the active roster on September 17 but was placed on injured reserve the following day. He was activated for the November 10 game against the Washington Commanders and contributed immediately by recovering a fumbled punt. Throughout the 2024 season, Skowronek recorded five receptions on five targets for 69 yards, along with two fumble recoveries and seven special teams tackles. He demonstrated his positional versatility by playing wide receiver, fullback, H-back, and tight end. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith frequently utilized pre-snap motion to move Skowronek around the formation, maximizing his value as a chess piece in the offense.
On March 13, 2025, Skowronek re-signed with the Steelers. In the season opener against the New York Jets, he caught the team’s first touchdown pass of the season from Aaron Rodgers. In that same game, he recovered a fumble which directly led to a Calvin Austin touchdown two plays later, helping the Steelers secure a late lead. Skowronek played through a hand injury during the final weeks of the 2025 season, demonstrating his durability and commitment to the team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Skowronek’s greatest strength lies in his exceptional versatility and positional flexibility. He has proven capable of lining up as a traditional wide receiver, fullback, H-back, and tight end, making him a valuable asset in modern NFL offenses. His ability to contribute on special teams at a Pro Bowl level sets him apart from many of his peers. Steelers coaches have specifically leveraged his pre-snap movement and motion skills to create mismatches against opposing defenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Skowronek’s most significant career milestone came on December 23, 2025, when he was named to his first career Pro Bowl at the special teams position. He also earned a Super Bowl ring as a rookie with the Rams following Super Bowl LVI. His memorable performance in the 2022 season against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he led the team in receiving, remains one of his standout career moments.
Ben Skowronek Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Skowronek has accumulated meaningful statistical contributions across multiple seasons while also achieving championship and Pro Bowl recognition. His career NFL statistics include 67 receptions for 713 receiving yards and two touchdowns, along with 26 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown as of the 2025 season.
NFL Highlights
Skowronek’s most prestigious achievement came in 2025 when he earned Pro Bowl honors for his outstanding special teams performance with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won a Super Bowl ring as a rookie with the Los Angeles Rams following Super Bowl LVI, contributing two receptions for 12 yards in the championship game. His standout performance in Week 14 of the 2022 season, when he caught seven passes for 89 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders, demonstrated his ability to be a primary receiving target when called upon.
College Highlights
At Northwestern, Skowronek’s career-high seasons came during his sophomore and junior years, when he combined for 90 receptions for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns. His game-clinching catch against Iowa in 2019 cemented his place in Northwestern football history as part of the program’s first Big Ten West Division championship team. At Notre Dame, his爆发 performance included two long touchdowns against Pittsburgh, finishing with five scoring catches in his single season with the Fighting Irish.
Ben Skowronek Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Skowronek has distant Polish roots, giving him heritage connecting him to Eastern European football traditions. He is distantly related to Johnny Lujack, the 1947 Heisman Trophy winner, creating an intriguing connection to college football’s most prestigious award. He is also a cousin of Olympic gymnast Courtney Kupets, a decorated athlete who represented the United States in international competition.
Personal Life
In March 2025, Skowronek married his wife, Brianna Stroup, in an outdoor ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts. Brianna played lacrosse at Northwestern University, giving the couple a shared collegiate athletic background. His uncle by marriage is former NFL quarterback Trent Green, placing him within a broader football family network.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Skowronek with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After re-signing with the team in March, he immediately made an impact in the season opener against the New York Jets by catching the team’s first touchdown from Aaron Rodgers and forcing a turnover with a fumble recovery that directly led to another score. His ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game caught the attention of coaches and fans alike. Skowronek continued to play a significant role in the offense as a versatile position player while emerging as one of the league’s top special teams performers. His durability in playing through a hand injury during the season’s final weeks demonstrated the toughness that earned him respect within the organization. The culmination of his strong season came in December when he was named to his first career Pro Bowl, recognizing his exceptional contributions on special teams.