Steelers Reveal Truth About 2 Free Agents On Defense: "Like To Have Both Back"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an uncertain problem brewing at the cornerback position. Sure, they feel very good with what they have in Joey Porter Jr. and then there is Jalen Ramsey, but no one truly knows what the plan is with him. Porter has emerged as a trusted option and a cornerstone of the secondary, but beyond him, the depth chart is unsettled. That uncertainty becomes even more critical with two free agents, Asante Samuel Jr. and James Pierre, both of whom played meaningful roles last season. How the Steelers handle these corners could define the strength of their defense heading into the 2026 season.

James Pierre experienced a remarkable turnaround over the past year. Early in the season, he struggled to find his footing, leaving fans frustrated and questioning whether he could contribute at a high level. However, as the season progressed, Pierre began to make game-changing plays, showing the ability to flip a game in Pittsburgh’s favor. By season’s end, he was no longer just a depth piece; he had proven he could be a formidable contributor when it mattered most. His progression makes him an attractive option for the Steelers, but as a free agent, there are no guarantees he will remain in Pittsburgh.

Samuel presents a different but equally compelling situation. Still young, Samuel was once viewed as one of the league’s rising cornerback stars before a career-long injury threatened to derail his career. After recovering, he returned to play at a high level for the Steelers, proving he can perform against top competition. 

That success makes his future less predictable, as other teams may see him as a valuable acquisition, and the Steelers may need to make tough financial decisions to keep him. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan gave fans a clue on Tuesday while he spoke at the NFL Combine.

"Both players are free agents," Khan said. "We’d like to have both back. We will see how it works out."

With Pierre and Samuel both up in the air, the team’s cornerback depth and overall defensive stability are far from certain. The combination of Porter as a known quantity and two promising but uncommitted free agents leaves Steelers fans in a tense position. 

Questions about who will return, who might depart, and how the team will allocate resources to the secondary are looming. The decisions made in the coming months will have a lasting impact on Pittsburgh’s defense and could shape the tone of the 2026 season before it even begins. 

Fans are left watching and waiting, hoping the front office can solve the puzzle without creating more uncertainty. Luckily, in this case, Samuel and Pierre should not be overly difficult to bring back. However, the market is never certain, and situations in the NFL can change quickly.

Steelers' New Regime Still Answering Questions

This new Steelers regime is still answering key questions about the roster and the direction of the team. Mike McCarthy takes over at the age of 62, tasked with retooling a roster capable of winning a playoff game. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, a drought that has frustrated the fan base for obvious reasons. 

Making the right decisions on these critical free agents would give both McCarthy and Khan momentum as they enter this new era of Steelers football, helping to set the tone for the team’s identity and success in the years ahead. A lot has changed quickly in Pittsburgh now that Tomlin is gone, but McCarthy is determined to make sure fans know they are in good hands.

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