The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to add experienced talent to their defense. According to former NFL defensive back Jahleel Addae, the Steelers are expected to sign veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins to a one-year contract. While the financial details haven't been reported yet, it's fair to assume the deal will come in somewhere around the veteran minimum, making it another low-risk addition for Omar Khan.
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Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks out to the crowd and takes it all in as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice being held at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
This may not be the flashiest move of the offseason, but it fills one of Pittsburgh's biggest remaining needs. The Steelers desperately needed more depth at safety. While the projected starters give Pittsburgh a strong foundation, you can never have enough experienced defensive backs in today's NFL. Injuries are inevitable over a 17-game season, and having someone with nearly a decade of NFL experience waiting in the wings is exactly the type of move playoff-caliber teams make.
Jenkins brings versatility that should immediately benefit Patrick Graham's defense. Throughout his career, he's played both free safety and strong safety, giving the Steelers another player who can move around the secondary depending on the situation. That flexibility is especially valuable in Graham's system, where defensive backs are often asked to play multiple roles and disguise coverages before the snap. Beyond his versatility, Jenkins also brings leadership.
"Per Source: Rayshawn Jenkins has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers," Addae said. "Pittsburgh adds a 10-year veteran, versatile playmaker, and experienced leader to its secondary."
With 10 years of NFL experience, he's seen just about everything. Adding another veteran voice to a defense that features several new faces should help the transition into Graham's first season as Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator. Even if Jenkins isn't playing every defensive snap, his experience in the meeting room and on the practice field carries real value.
The best part of this move is the expected cost. If the contract lands around the veteran minimum, the Steelers are getting an experienced, versatile safety without making a significant financial commitment.
Steelers Add Valuable Insurance In The Secondary
Those are exactly the types of moves that strengthen a roster heading into the regular season. If Jenkins is called upon because of an injury or simply earns a rotational role, Pittsburgh has a proven veteran ready to contribute. Championship teams aren't built solely through massive signings. They're also built by adding reliable veterans who strengthen weak spots on the roster.
Scott Galvin / Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field.
When the reported signing becomes official, the Steelers will have addressed one of their biggest depth concerns in the secondary with a player capable of contributing at both safety spots. It may not dominate the headlines, but it's the kind of move that could quietly pay dividends over the course of the season.
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