6-Pick Starter Signs Contract With Pittsburgh Steelers

Four-year veteran cornerback Asante Samuel signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Samuel, a former second-round pick and son of the former Patriots Super Bowl champion, spent the entirety of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Asante Samuel, Pittsburgh Steelers, Agree to Contract

The 2024 season was a lost one for Asante Samuel. Entering the season as a starter, the fourth-year cornerback appeared in just four games before suffering a season-ending injury.  During his limited time on the field, Samuel recorded two passes defended and 13 tackles. The Chargers fared well enough without him, as they earned a playoff spot during the first year of the Jim Harbaugh Era. However, they didn’t make it far in the postseason, as they lost to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.

Samuel originally entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Selected by Brandon Staley’s Los Angeles Chargers, the Florida State product began his career as a key piece of the defense. Starting and appearing in 12 games, the cornerback finished his inaugural season with two interceptions, 11 passes defended, 43 tackles, and one tackle-for-loss.

The cornerback returned to that role in 2022 and responded with another strong season. Appearing in all 17 games, Samuel recorded two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and 57 tackles as the Chargers made the playoffs for the first time in the Justin Herbert Era. While they lost their Wild Card matchup to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Samuel had a great day, picking off Trevor Lawrence on three separate occasions.

Since signing his rookie contract, Asante Samuel has appeared in 50 games while making 47 starts. While on the field, the former second-round pick has recorded six interceptions, 37 passes defended, 176 tackles, and three tackles-for-loss. While he has been on two playoff rosters, he has yet to experience a playoff win.