The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to keep a depth piece at cornerback in James Pierre. It's only a one-year deal and Pierre's spot on the 53-man roster is likely up for grabs, especially with the signing of Patrick Peterson along with the high likelihood that the Steelers draft a cornerback on day one or two of the 2023 draft. Either way, for now, Pierre is back with the team and should be solid depth signing while also contributing on special teams.
Formerly an undrafted free agent, Pierre has been able to stay on Pittsburgh's roster for all three years of his NFL career. He was a restricted free agent (RFA), but he was not tendered, like all of the Steelers' RFAs this offseason. Pierre is a bit older for only being a third-year player, but he's still developed over his career, coming into his age 27 season. He will look to prove that he still has what it takes to be on an NFL roster and stay productive with the team.
What Has Pierre Done For The Steelers?
Pierre has played in every game in his career, along with making a handful of starts. He was a key piece to that upset over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 when Terrell Edmunds was the only healthy starter in the secondary. He also had an interception early in the Monday Night Football game against the Indianapolis Colts where he took over as the starter after Cameron Sutton played in the slot for that game.
During the 2021 season, Pierre was able to halt a comeback attempt by the Denver Broncos with a last-second interception in the end zone after the Broncos cut an 18-point lead down to eight in the 4th quarter. Throughout many other games, Pierre has shown the value he can bring to the team and not just the turnovers or game-sealing plays. He's shown consistently and that he can do the small things.
Is Pierre a quality starting cornerback? He can't hold down the fort for long-term. However, he has shown how well and effective he can be as a depth option or a rotational piece along with contributing as a spot starter.
Pierre's spot on the roster is not guaranteed and understandably so. Peterson and Levi Wallace are starters on the outside with Akhello Witherspoon also providing depth on the outside. There is a very good chance that the Steelers draft a cornerback in the early stages of the draft. With Wallace, Peterson, and the draftee being all but confirmed to be on the roster, as outside cornerbacks, Pierre will have to battle it out with Witherspoon and any other potential undrafted free agents.
There are no reports of his contract yet, although it can be assumed that it will be a very cheap deal with little-to-no guaranteed money.
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