After seeing brief action with the Steelers in 2025, Asante Samuel Jr. will remain in place. The veteran cornerback has a new Pittsburgh deal in hand.
Team and player agreed to a new contract on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This is a one-year. $4MM pact. That figure likely represents the maximum value in this case, but Samuel could prove to be a worthwhile re-signing for the Steelers if he once again handles a notable defensive workload in 2026.
A second-round pick from Florida State in 2022, Samuel was a full-time starter with the Chargers over the first four years of his career. However, an early 2024 shoulder injury threw Samuel’s career off course. The Chargers placed Samuel on injured reserve after just four games.
Concerns over Samuel’s health prevented him from cashing in as a free agent a year ago. After undergoing neck surgery in April, he was not medically cleared until the first week of November. Samuel then drew widespread interest before joining the Steelers’ practice squad.
Playing an abbreviated age-26 season in 2025, Samuel saw action in six of the Steelers’ games and started three. He picked up 10 tackles and notched the seventh interception of his career along the way. With backup corner James Pierre potentially on his way out in free agency, Samuel will provide capable depth behind starters Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean in 2026.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Gave up 4 TDs and a 120+ QB Rating on balls his way in only 6 games last year. WOOF.
He’s coming back from an injury and his price more than modest. Would be dumb to not do it
I am not saying it is a bad move, and he was thrust into the lineup due to other injuries on the team too.
But if he plays like he did last year, he’s beat.
Meh
The Steelers will likely draft a corner in day 1 or 2 so this is a move likely with that in mind as well.