Steelers' Terrell Edmunds Reveals How He Truly Felt About Being A Journeyman

The Pittsburgh Steelers have recently brought Terrell Edmunds back to the team after letting him walk in free agency after the 2022 season. He will not be expected to have a major role in a crowded safety room, but it's always good to have some extra depth, especially after the Steelers had to pull people out of retirement to start games in 2023. Not only do they get quality depth, but they get a familiar face that understands how the coaches work.

In his first interview back in Pittsburgh, Edmunds talked about the journey that he had been on since he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Last year was a long year, going to one team, then being traded -- I was already here for five years -- and then going to Jacksonville and getting cut. It was a long year, but at the same time, I had the same [no-quit] mentality, and I think I've definitely been fighting it."

Obviously, Edmunds wants to keep showcasing the talent that made him a first-round pick back in 2018, but he is already on his fourth team in an 18-month span. After signing with the Eagles in free agency, he played roughly half the season there before getting traded to the Tennessee Titans, who also did not give him a new contract. He then signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, got cut, then went back to their practice squad where the Steelers signed him from.

It's never easy to bounce around from team to team, especially when you're forced to do so in the middle of a season. Coming back to Pittsburgh is most likely the best-case scenario for him. Even though he will most likely be a special teamer with limited defensive reps, Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin already know everything about him. There's much less of a learning curve than if Edmunds got picked up by yet another team. 

Edmunds also spoke about how great it is to be back home with the team that he had spent the most time with over his career.

“Man, it felt crazy yesterday seeing everyone when I walked in. It’s just love. There’s been love here ever since I left, been [in] communication with guys. Now, coming back and actually playing on the field with them again, it feels good.”

While many facets of the team have drastically changed since Edmunds left, there are still plenty of familiar faces in the locker room, including the leaders of the defense. He and Minkah Fitzpatrick played together in the defensive backfield for a few years, so it's great for him to be back with his old partner. 

Steelers' Edmunds Will Find Familiarity In Old Home

It's always hard to find a new home, and Edmunds got to spend the last year and a half living that life. Even though him going back to the Steelers was not his own choice, he seems to be very happy to be back where his career started. The Steelers could even give him another one-year deal to stick around and play in a system that he is already familiar with. 

What do you think about Edmunds becoming a journeyman before coming back to Pittsburgh from another team's practice squad? Let us know in the comments.

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