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Steelers completely rebuild their cornerback room with two signings including the controversial addition of a six-time Pro Bowler

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 5:09 PM ET

While the Pittsburgh Steelers teeter dangerously close to watching their top two QB candidates go to other teams, the team is making moves elsewhere.

That includes the signing of two cornerbacks, a position the Steelers desperately need to address.

And while the headliner of those two names has a Hall of Fame resume, his signing isn't exactly going to knock everyone's socks off, even if it should...

Steelers sign Darius Slay, Brandin Echols

Another Pittsburgh pickup: Free-agent CB Darius Slay reached agreement on a one-year, fully-guaranteed $10 million deal with the Steelers. Deal negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.

- Adam Schefter, ESPN

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Why would signing a reigning Super Bowl champion, who has six Pro Bowls and a first team All-Pro nod on his resume come with some question marks? Well because other than the fact that Darius Slay quite literally fought Darnell Washington (see the feature image) he is 34 years old.

No position in the NFL is a young man's game more than CB, but the Steelers and Slay believe he still has more left in the tank. What about people who have watched Slay closely during his last few years in Philly?

I spoke with our resident Eagles expert at A to Z Sports to find out...

Darius Slay's $13.7 million cap hit for 2025 was one of the highest on the Eagles roster this year, so Philly moving on from him was a no-brainer to free up cap space. The downfall is that now they have to watch him sign with the other PA team knowing he she still has plenty of juice left in tank at 34, and that the Steelers are getting him at a discounted rate ($10M). In 14 games for the Eagles last fall, the six-time Pro Bowler racked up 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, 13 pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Slay's veteran presence is another huge bonus for Pittsburgh as they look to revamp their secondary in the 2025 NFL Draft.

- Kelsey Kramer , A to Z Sports Philadlephia

Brandin Echols

Sources: The Steelers are signing former Jets CB Brandin Echols, per sources. Echols had 5 INTs, 16 PBUs and two pick-sixes during his tenure in New York.

- Jordan Schultz, Fox Sports

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In all, they serve as two key adds for a Steelers CB room that needs all the help they can get. Darius slay can man the position opposite of Joey Porter Jr. and Echols can fit nicely into the slot-nickel position.