The Pittsburgh Steelers are an organization under General Manager Omar Khan that will always be working to improve the roster. Khan did not make any deals directly at the trade deadline, which is something many fans expected. He brought in safety Kyle Dugger about a week before the deadline, and now the executive is still searching for secondary help. The Steelers have been beaten up on defense, and the franchise could use all of the valuable depth imaginable as the 2025 season continues on.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
One spot Pittsburgh could always use more depth and talent is cornerback, and Asante Samuel Jr. has been a player organizations around the league have been waiting to see get medically cleared. Samuel is currently a free agent who was recently cleared to play again after going through spinal fusion surgery during the 2025 offseason. He has free agent visits scheduled out according to Ian Rapoport, but Pittsburgh is at the end of the list.
It'll be a busy couple weeks for Asante Samuel Jr. He's visiting the #Panthers today. After that, it's: #Packers (Thursday), #Vikings (Friday), #49ers (Monday), #Bears (Tuesday) and #Steelers (Wednesday). A thorough, methodical process. https://t.co/RZCbaBKHUd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2025
With the way visits work in the NFL, the Steelers do not have a very good shot of signing Samuel. One of the teams ahead of Pittsburgh could decide they want Samuel, and it could make an offer that he would not be able to refuse. That is especially possible with one of the teams who are viewed as legitimate contenders, such as the Green Bay Packers or the San Francisco 49ers. In that scenario, he would never even make it to Pittsburgh for his visit.
Ty Nowell / Los Angeles Chargers
Former Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. during a game in Pittsburgh in 2024.
It is good to see that Pittsburgh wants the possibility to sign Samuel, and there is chance it can happen, it's just slim. He last played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, but he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury after four games. He was always slated to become a free agent during the 2025 offseason, but his spinal procedure put that process on hold. He is now healed up and looking for his next home, but teams might be cautious after he has missed over a year of football and is coming back from a serious injury.
Steelers Could Use Cornerback Help
Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced during his recent press conference that the team plans to continue using Jalen Ramsey as a safety, and that makes things a little thin at cornerback. Joey Porter Jr. has played well, but Darius Slay is a bit streaky and has had to exit games quite a bit.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay during their debuts against the New York Jets in 2025.
A former starting cornerback in Samuel would be valuable to have on the roster, even if it is just for the rest of this season.
What do you think about the Steelers' chances of landing Samuel? Let us know in the comments below!
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