Steelers pad out defensive backs room with free-agent safety

The five-year Falcons starter has bounced to the Cowboys and Buccaneers since his Atlanta run ended following the 2020 campaign. Going into his age-28 season, Neal will soon have a chance to make his mark in the AFC. Neal, a former No. 17 overall pick, met with the Eagles recently, before Philly ended up going in a different direction and signing former Steelers first-round pick Terrell Edmunds.

During an offseason in which they also added versatile veteran Logan Ryan, the Bucs added Neal on a one-year deal worth the league minimum for the past campaign. He played in all 18 of Tampa Bay's games, starting eight and finishing with 63 tackles (two for loss) and four pass deflections. Neal added a career-high five QB hits.

The Cowboys used Neal more at linebacker in 2021, after he finished with three 100-plus-tackle seasons with the Falcons. Aligned more at safety with the Bucs, Neal ranked 70th at the position (in the view of Pro Football Focus). PFF did rank Neal as a top-12 pass rusher at the position, however.

Neal now joins a Steelers team that has made some adjustments in the Minkah Fitzpatrick-fronted safety group, having moved on from both Myles Jack and Devin Bush on their defensive second level. They made an offer to keep Edmunds, The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly notes (subscription required), though it likely was a low-end proposal.

Pittsburgh has also reached a two-year agreement to retain Damontae Kazee, who will collect nearly double the guaranteed money Edmunds will in his new deal with the Eagles. The Steelers gave Kazee a two-year, $6 million contract with $1.75 million guaranteed.

Neal will join Fitzpatrick and Kazee on the Steelers’ back line. His experience as a box defender and in coverage gives Pittsburgh some options.