Steelers 'counting on' an extra-motivated Asante Samuel Jr.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Steelers 'counting on' an extra-motivated Asante Samuel Jr. to step up in 2026

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 31, 2026 3:14 PM ET

Latrobe, Pa. - Coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is fully healthy and ready to prove himself again.

And if he can get back to form, he has the potential to be a difference-maker for a defense under pressure to perform. Both Samuel and his new head coach, Mike McCarthy, discussed his progression and where he fits in the Steelers' scheme at training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Friday.

Mike McCarthy is counting on Asante Samuel Jr. to make an impact on the defense

"I know personally I'm counting on him. He's frankly been one of my favorite players since I've arrived here," said McCarthy when asked for his thoughts about Samuel.

McCarthy also placed a cliche, yet applicable, label on Samuel, calling him a "ballhawk" and then turning up the praise by calling him "one hell of a football player" as well.

While evaluating how he feels and how he's performed through OTAs and so far in camp, Samuel remains confident, but he also holds himself to a high standard.

Mike McCarthy said Asante Samuel Jr. is 'one hell of a football player' who is a ballhawk and he can see the ball skills consistently through the first two practices.

"He's frankly been one of my favorite players since I've arrived here."
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 31, 2026

"I feel stronger. I feel quicker. I feel faster. I feel more explosive," Samuel said.

"I could've made a couple more. I'm just trying to get back to how I was."

Samuel's body of work proves his ability. Only able to appear in six games and make three starts during his first season in Pittsburgh before enduring spinal fusion surgery to fix a lifelong neck and shoulder condition, Samuel still recorded 10 tackles and picked off a pass.

When healthy, Asante Samuel Jr. can be among the best CBs in the NFL

However, he was also only able to play in four games in 2024, his final year with the Los Angeles Chargers. But when healthy, Samuel has tremendous potential. He racked up a career-high 63 total tackles with two interceptions in 2023 and has 186 combined tackles, 38 pass deflections and seven interceptions in 56 games across five seasons.

This story includes firsthand reporting.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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