Steelers make splash, bolster defense with signing of Samuel Jr.

Asante Samuel Jr. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers make splash and bolster defense with big signing of Asante Samuel Jr.

Originally posted on Steeler Nation | By Brogan Noey | Last updated Nov 11, 2025 4:56 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have clearly been in "win now" mode throughout the 2025 offseason and into the regular season itself, and that has been seen by several roster moves. General manager Omar Khan was not done as he called around the league at the trade deadline, looking for some more weapons for the offense, but no deals transpired.

However, the general manager did go out and sign free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who had a pretty decent career going until he suffered an injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers bolster defense by signing Asante Samuel Jr.

Samuel was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he was a pretty solid cornerback during his time with the Chargers. He went on injured reserve early on in the 2024 season, and he never played for the Chargers again, as he was a free agent after the season closed and he had to go undergo a pretty significant back surgery.

He was recently cleared, and he is now signing in Pittsburgh, which was reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source.

A top-25 free agent in March, Samuel recovered from spinal-fusion surgery in time to sign for the season’s second half. Now, he gets a new start with Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/pK5QfhfEy0
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 11, 2025

Samuel was taking visits around the league over the last week after he was cleared medically, and the Steelers were towards the end of the list of his visits. It was hard to believe he would make it to Pittsburgh without a contract, but that is what happened, and now, he will be with the Steelers. He is starting on the practice squad, but he should be elevated sooner rather than later.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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