Steelers Release S Rayshawn Jenkins

Today’s release ends Jenkins’ tenure with the fifth team of his 10-year career. A former fourth-round pick out of Miami (FL), Jenkins began his career with the Chargers, earning a starting job next to Derwin James by Year 3. After his rookie contract in Los Angeles expired, Jenkins signed a four-year, $35MM deal with the Jaguars.

After three years with Jenkins as a starter, Jacksonville cut him prior to the final year of his contract. He rebounded quickly in free agency, landing a two-year, $12MM deal with the Seahawks. A four-game minimum stint on IR limited him to nine starts in 13 games in Seattle before they, too, released him before he could play out the agreement.

Jenkins rebounded once again, signing with the Browns, and for the first time since he became a starter, Jenkins found himself serving as a backup behind starters Ronnie Hickman and Grant Delpit. After the 2025 season, the Steelers were unsure exactly when Elliott would be ready to return and added Jenkins as depth. He started the year with a pretty decent snap share off the bench, even earning a start in Week 3, but his playing time has diminished each week since, as he’s been relegated to special teams.

The Steelers were eventually going to need to make room on the active roster to activate Elliott, and if Elliott is returning soon, Jenkins’ presence on the roster would be superfluous. There’s no word on that front yet, but Elliott has only eight more days to be activated before reverting to season-ending IR. In the meantime, Jenkins, 32, will head to free agency once again.