The Pittsburgh Steelers are re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., giving him at least a second season with the team after initially signing last November. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it’s a one-year deal worth $4 million.
The Steelers are re-signing corner Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year, $4M deal, per source.
Samuel, who recovered from neck surgery in 2025, gets a full season in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/3ty2RHWkkv
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 9, 2026
After undergoing spinal-fusion surgery last April, Samuel received medical clearance to return during the regular season. Visiting a handful of interested teams, Samuel signed with Pittsburgh’s practice squad in mid-November. Elevated to the 53-man roster shortly after Thanksgiving, Samuel appeared in six regular-season games.
He recorded 10 tackles and one interception, an early and key pick in a primetime win over the Miami Dolphins. One apparently fueled by the prospect of receiving Aaron Rodgers’ jersey.
Samuel started three games while filling in for James Pierre, who missed a trio of late-season contests with a calf injury.
In those six games with the Steelers in 2025, Samuel played 222 snaps in the regular season, grading out at a 67.2 overall from Pro Football Focus. He was charged with allowing seven receptions on nine targets in coverage for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
A former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, Samuel is known for his ball skills and playmaking in coverage. Tackling has long been considered a weakness, but the Steelers are willing to accept that under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. It’s unclear if Samuel is viewed as a starter or if Pittsburgh will continue to add to the position, especially early in April’s draft.
For his career, Samuel has appeared in 56 games, making 50 starts with 38 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
The move by the Steelers comes one day after NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that as many as 8-9 teams will vying for Pierre in free agency. That could lead to the veteran cornerback leaving after a breakout season with the Black and Gold. So, GM Omar Khan moved quickly Monday morning, locking in Samuel for another season in the Steel City, providing Graham an option opposite Joey Porter Jr.
