When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed undrafted former Boston College quarterback Tyler Murphy in the spring, it looked like it would take a lot for him to crack the team's practice squad, let alone its 53-man roster.
Listed as a "slash" player on the roster—as in quarterback-slash-wide-receiver—he was one of two former receiver-quarterback hybrids for the Steelers; the other being former Michigan passer Devin Gardner. At best, it seemed like Murphy would serve as a camp body, throwing and catching passes with the third-string offense.
But Murphy began to stand out right away. While Gardner remained simply a receiver and quarterback in the team's June minicamp, Murphy also saw special teams work, trying to do anything it took to remain on the team.