Steelers' Jalen Ramsey Shares Thoughts On New DB Asante Samuel Jr.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were hopeful to have shored up their secondary during the 2025 offseason with additions like Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, but that hasn’t exactly gone to plan. The Steelers’ secondary has struggled for the most part throughout the season, and the challenges have only grown with injuries piling up. Opposite Joey Porter Jr., depth has become an even bigger concern, forcing the team to adjust on the fly.

Slay is currently out with a concussion suffered in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chagers, and Ramsey has been moved to safety on an indefinite basis. To address the growing depth issue, the Steelers recently signed Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad. While Samuel likely did not expect to start his tenure on a practice squad, he understands that this presents a real path to playing time in Pittsburgh.

Ramsey spoke with Pittsburgh media on Friday about the arrival of Samuel, a player he knows very well. Ramsey emphasized Samuel’s talent, work ethic, and versatility, highlighting how his familiarity with the young defensive back could help the Steelers’ struggling secondary stabilize down the stretch. The addition of Samuel, combined with Ramsey’s leadership, gives Pittsburgh fans hope that the unit can find some much-needed consistency.

"I mean obviously, his skill on the football field is super important," Ramsey said. "Just even so his mindset. I like the way he goes about his business and the passion he brings and the heart he plays with. Those are things you like to have in a DB. I am happy he got added to the mix."

It remains to be seen whether the Steelers plan to activate Samuel for their upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals. While it seems unlikely at this point, depth concerns could always change the equation. Samuel was brought in for a reason, and even though he’s currently on the practice squad, there’s always a chance he could be elevated on game days and earn his spot on the active roster.

Samuel is excited to be in the Steel City with great teammates and coaches, in his own words. He believes this is a great opportunity to come in and prove that he still belongs as a respected name in the league. 

Samuel was highly productive with the Chargers as a four-year starter before getting sidelined by what he described as a stinger injury from a practice collision. There was some uncertainty surrounding his health, but after undergoing surgery, he says he’s the healthiest he’s been in a long time.

Steelers Get Steal In Asante Samuel Jr.

That’s encouraging news for the Steelers. Samuel was a starter in the 2024 season, which shows he is still capable of coming in and making an impact. At 26 years old, Pittsburgh has acquired a talented player who can contribute immediately. In 47 career starts, Samuel has recorded six interceptions, 37 pass deflections, and one fumble recovery.

He’s been productive recently, and if he stays healthy, Samuel could turn into a surprisingly valuable addition late in the season for the Steelers. His experience and skill set give Pittsburgh another option in a secondary that has struggled, and he has the potential to make a meaningful impact in the final stretch of the year.

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