The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking to improve their roster. That was seen throughout the 2025 offseason with the amount of transactions General Manager Omar Khan completed, but it is also something that is a priority during the regular season. When it is in-season most teams are trying to upgrade their depth, which is something Pittsburgh will look to do as attrition continues to set in as the team plays more games. This leads to the team hosting workouts with current free agents, and even signing some, whether that be to the practice squad or to the active roster.
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Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Pittsburgh has played four games now and is coming off of its bye week in Week 5. This means the team has some injuries in various areas, and it also gives the coaching staff and Khan a better idea of where some upgrades need to occur. This means more players might be brought in for workouts, and that is exactly what happened on Wednesday as the franchise hosted two linebackers on workouts. Pittsburgh brought in Michael Barrett as well as former top-10 pick Isaiah Simmons.
Former first-round pick Isaiah Simmons worked out for the Steelers today
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 8, 2025
Simmons is a prominent name in the NFL. He was selected with the eighth overall pick back in the 2020 NFL Draft as he was picked by the Arizona Cardinals. He was considered one of the best defenders in the country during his college career at Clemson, where he won the National Championship at the end of the 2018 season.
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Isaiah Simmons during his time with the Arizona Cardinals at a home game.
Simmons was lauded as a prospect coming into the NFL. He was seen as a hybrid between an inside linebacker and a safety, and his athleticism was off the charts. It was noted that he needed to be put in the right situation, and the right system, in order to succeed. That never really happened. He spent just three seasons in Arizona before being traded to the New York Giants. He signed for the following season in New York, but he was not brought back after 2024. He signed with the Green Bay Packers during the 2025 offseason but did not make the final roster.
The linebacker's best season came in 2022 with the Cardinals. He recorded 99 total tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Despite the successful year he was traded away. In his two seasons with the Giants he played in all 34 games while starting five of them. He tallied 71 total tackles, a pick six, and a sack during that time.
Simmons has shown flashes throughout his career, but he has never been able to remain consistent enough to find his footing in the NFL. He is fighting to keep his career alive, and a workout in Pittsburgh could be a step in the right direction.
AP Photo / Adam Hunger
Isaiah Simmons during a home game with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Steelers Could Add Quality Depth By Signing Isaiah Simmons
If Simmons were to sign in Pittsburgh, it would probably begin with him on the practice squad. He could get elevated if injuries occur, but there is no reason to believe that he would be a major contributor for the Steelers defense in 2025. He has versatility which is something Pittsburgh always appreciates, and his experience playing both linebacker and safety would make him a prime candidate to be on the field on obvious passing downs.
If Pittsburgh can find a way to unlock the first-round talent that Simmons once had, this would be a great move. But it is hard to look at this as anything more than adding some depth to a defense that has been beat up so far during the 2025 season. The Steelers could also continue their research into former first round picks by taking a look at recently-released wide receiver Treylon Burks.
What do you think about Simmons coming to Pittsburgh for a workout? Let us know in the comments below!
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