Steelers stay busy, sign Super Bowl-winning defender

Ja'Whaun Bentley has a Super Bowl-winning pedigree

Bentley joins the Steelers following a seven-year stay with the New England Patriots, where he transformed into one of the team’s most dependable defenders. The former fifth-round pick tallied at least 100 tackles each year between 2021 and 2023, and he added another 8.5 sacks over that same span. He was part of their Super Bowl LIII-winning squad.

He was back in the starting lineup for the 2024 season, but he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 that ended his season early. The Patriots moved on from him back in March, and he’s remained unsigned since that time.

Steelers added veteran depth to their practice squad

With Malik Harrison on injured reserve and Patrick Queen nursing an oblique issue, the Steelers decided to add some veteran depth to their squad. Cole Holcomb and rookie seventh-round pick Carson Bruener represent the team’s current depth at ILB behind Queen and Payton Wilson. This signing also reunites Bentley with Jabrill Peppers, as the duo previously played alongside each other in New England between 2022 and 2024.

Bentley was one of many players who auditioned for the organization earlier. The team already made one previously reported addition in WR Isaiah Hodgins.