Justin Peelle Justin Morris Peelle ( born March 15 , 1979 ) was an American football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He currently serves as an assistant tight ends coach for the Philadelphia Eagles He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft . He played college football at Oregon and high school football at Dublin High School . Peelle has also played for the Miami Dolphins , Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers . College career . Peelle started 28 of the 42 games in which he played during his four seasons at the University of Oregon ( 1998 – 2001 ) . During that time he played alongside the former Atlanta Falcons , quarterback Joey Harrington . As a junior , he was an honorable mention all - conference pick as a junior when he registered 24 receptions for 388 yards and five scores . He was a first - team All - Pac - 10 selection as a senior when he caught 34 passes for 491 yards and nine touchdowns . The same year , he was also a semifinalist for the Mackey Award , given to the nation ' s top tight end . In his collegiate career , he totaled 63 receptions for 944 yards and 14 touchdowns . He was also an All - Pac - 10 Academic choice all four years . Professional career . San Diego Chargers . Peelle began his professional career in 2002 , when he was a fourth - round selection ( 103rd overall ) by the San Diego Chargers and their late general manager John Butler in the 2002 NFL Draft . He played in 15 games his rookie season , including two starts . On the year , he caught three passes for 15 yards . Peelle was also fifth on the squad with seven tackles on special teams . His first NFL reception came on a two - yard pass from quarterback Drew Brees against the San Francisco 49ers on November 17 . Peelle opened nine of the 15 games in which he appeared in 2003 . He tallied a career - high 16 receptions for 133 yards on the season , and had one touchdown catch on the year . Peelle also contributed two tackles on special teams . He posted a career - high four catches , totaling 24 yards , against the Baltimore Ravens on September 21 . His lone scoring catch of the year came on a seven - yard grab from Drew Brees in the back of the end zone the following week at the Oakland Raiders , marking his first NFL touchdown reception . He was inactive for game at the Detroit Lions on December 7 with a concussion sustained the previous week against the Kansas City Chiefs . Peelle started four of 16 contests in which he appeared in 2004 . He totaled 10 receptions for 84 yards and a pair of scores on the season and recorded four stops on special teams . His first reception of season came on a 10 - yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees in 38 - 17 win over the Tennessee Titans on October 3 . Peelle tallied his longest scoring reception of his NFL career in a 42 - 14 victory over the Oakland Raiders on October 31 with a 17 - yard grab from Brees . Peelle had three receptions for a career - best 34 yards in first - round playoff game against the New York Jets on January 8 , 2005 . Peelle played in all 16 games in 2005 , including four starts in what would be his final season with the Chargers . He caught 11 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown on the year while collecting two special teams tackles . He had his most productive day of season at the Oakland Raiders on October 16 when he caught three passes for 20 yards , including a four - yard touchdown reception from running back LaDainian Tomlinson in the Chargers ’ 27 - 14 victory . Miami Dolphins . The Miami Dolphins signed Peelle as an unrestricted free agent on March 20 , 2006 . Peelle signed a three - year deal with the team which included base salaries of $ 600 , 000 ( 2006 ) , $ 1 . 2 million ( 2007 ) , and $ 1 . 3 million ( 2008 ) . Peelle appeared in 15 games for the Dolphins in 2006 , including a career - high ten starts . This was due to the team ' s increased use of two - tight end sets , which created more time for Peelle and less for fullback Darian Barnes . He finished with 16 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown on the season , marking the fourth consecutive season he had at least one touchdown catch . He was inactive once ( on October 15 at the New York Jets ) with a knee injury , allowing tight end Jason Rader to make the first start of his career . On November 19 against the Minnesota Vikings , Peelle had three catches for 21 yards and one touchdown , coming on an 11 - yard pass from former Oregon teammate Joey Harrington . It was his first touchdown catch as a member of the Dolphins . On August 30 , 2008 , Peelle was released by the Dolphins during final cuts . Atlanta Falcons . Peelle was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on September 1 , 2008 . The team released tight end Jason Rader to make room for Peelle on the roster . Peelle was named the starting Tight End after Ben Hartsock was placed on injured reserve . Peelle has made a great impact on the Falcons as a great receiving tight end . He helped the Falcons clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2004 . The Falcons re - signed him on February 26 , 2009 . On August 18 , 2011 , he was released with an injury settlement . San Francisco 49ers . The San Francisco 49ers signed Peelle on September 13 , 2011 . During the 2011 season , he typically played in multiple - tight - end sets backing up Vernon Davis . On November 20 , 2011 , against the Arizona Cardinals after injuries to other players , Peelle also played fullback . Pittsburgh Steelers . The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Peelle on August 13 , 2012 . Coaching career . On February 8 , 2013 , Peelle was hired by new coach Chip Kelly to serve as the Philadelphia Eagles ' assistant tight ends coach . Personal . Justin has a wife named Sara and a son , Morris David . He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in political science . Peele maintains his offseason in San Diego .