The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 offseason determined to rebuild a secondary that needed more proven talent and dependable depth. General Manager Omar Khan accomplished that by adding Jamel Dean while also bringing Asante Samuel Jr. back on a one-year deal. Those moves already appear to be paying off during the early stages of training camp.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' cornerback Jamel Dean during phase two of voluntary offseason workouts
Pittsburgh is currently without Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey, as both defensive backs opened training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List. Their absences have created additional opportunities for the other cornerbacks on the roster, and Samuel has taken full advantage of the increased workload.
Samuel has started to come into his own while receiving extended repetitions alongside Dean. The Steelers initially added him to their practice squad in November of 2025 before eventually elevating him to the active roster. He only received limited opportunities after arriving in Pittsburgh, but his performance was enough to earn another contract and a legitimate chance to establish a role in the defense.
Former Steelers offensive lineman Max Starks was speaking via SNR Drive during camp when he stated he believes Samuel is benefiting from the opportunity to work extensively within Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham’s system. He also offered an exciting assessment of what Dean has shown since arriving in Pittsburgh.
"[Dean is] as advertised. He comes in here and he plays as advertised," Starks said. "The dude was ranked by all—you know, whether it’s PFF or whatever source that ranks percentages—he came out number one a year ago. He plays like the number one cornerback."
That is about as strong of an endorsement as Dean could receive this early in training camp. The Steelers signed him expecting to acquire an elite cover cornerback, and Starks believes he has already looked like exactly that. Dean performing at that level would immediately raise the ceiling of Pittsburgh’s defense.
Perhaps the most exciting takeaway from Starks’ analysis was his belief that Pittsburgh could leave training camp with two separate sets of starting-caliber cornerbacks. That would represent a massive improvement from years past and fill one of the Steelers’ most significant needs, provided the group performs as well as Steeler Nation has been hearing throughout camp.
Steelers Could Suddenly Have A Special Group Of Cornerbacks
The most encouraging part is that Dean isn’t the only cornerback making noise. Samuel’s emergence could give the Steelers another starting-caliber option once Porter and Ramsey are cleared to return. Pittsburgh would then have four defensive backs capable of playing meaningful snaps, giving Graham tremendous flexibility when constructing his secondary.
Porter has already established himself as one of the NFL’s better young cover cornerbacks. Ramsey brings experience, versatility, and a Hall of Fame-caliber pedigree. If Dean continues playing like an elite outside cornerback and Samuel maintains his current momentum, Pittsburgh could have one of the deepest secondaries in football.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Jamel Dean speaks to the media during his introductory press conference in the 2026 offseason.
The Steelers still need to see how the group performs when the pads come on and the games begin. Training camp praise doesn’t automatically guarantee regular-season success, but the early signs are extremely encouraging. Samuel receiving these extra snaps because of Porter and Ramsey’s absences could ultimately make the entire defense better.
Pittsburgh will eventually welcome Porter and Ramsey back into the lineup. When that happens, Head Coach Mike McCarthy and Graham could be looking at a secondary with far more starting-caliber talent than available positions. That is an excellent problem to have, and it could make this Steelers defense truly special in 2026.
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