Steelers' Asante Samuel Jr Has Been Waiting To Erase A Painful Bengals Memory

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals have spent the past seven weeks putting themselves in position to play one of the most meaningful games of the 2026 NFL season. Both enter Sunday night's showdown at 6-2, riding four-game winning streaks with sole possession of first place in the AFC North on the line. While most of Pittsburgh's locker room probably enjoyed revisiting September's victory over Cincinnati, there is one veteran defender who would appreciate the opportunity to remove a particular highlight from the Bengals' season reel.

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. experienced the unfortunate side of playing against Cincinnati's receiving corps during Pittsburgh's 30-27 victory in Week 3. Both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins caught touchdowns against Samuel, with the latter producing one of the more ridiculous receptions of the young NFL season.

With 34 seconds remaining before halftime, quarterback Joe Burrow launched a pass toward the front corner of the end zone. Higgins essentially turned the football field into a basketball court, using his body to shield Samuel before securing the 28-yard touchdown while falling to the ground. The catch tied the score at 17 and left Pittsburgh's cornerback wondering how a play on which he was in position to compete for the football still ended with Cincinnati celebrating.

During his media availability on Friday, Samuel gave Higgins credit for the reception, but expressed confidence that another opportunity would produce a different outcome.

“He made a great play. I mean, he made a great play. You know, I feel like if it would have happened again, I probably would have made a play. It's just, you know, he made a great play,” Samuel said.

There is a certain level of confidence required to play cornerback in the NFL. Samuel could have spent his answer discussing the size disadvantage or how difficult Burrow's throw was to defend. He acknowledged the quality of Higgins' catch while making it clear that he would gladly accept another ball coming in his direction under similar circumstances.

Asked whether he had been looking forward to another opportunity against Cincinnati, Samuel didn't hesitate.

“Oh no, for sure. For sure. You know, as a competitor, you definitely want to put your best foot forward each and every time. So, you know, been circling this since the last game,” Samuel said.

Sunday's rematch carries some additional significance for Samuel beyond settling an individual score. Pittsburgh reduced his workload during the first meeting, giving rookie cornerback Daylen Everette meaningful opportunities against Cincinnati's receivers. Samuel finished with 41 defensive snaps, while Everette played 26.

The circumstances surrounding Pittsburgh's secondary have changed considerably since September. Joey Porter Jr. was still a member of the organization when Higgins made that touchdown catch. With Porter now in Dallas, Samuel has a much greater responsibility to establish himself as someone Pittsburgh can trust against the NFL's premier passing attacks.

The sixth-year cornerback has recorded eight passes defensed through eight appearances this season. He remains listed as a starter opposite Jamel Dean, although the possibility of Pittsburgh turning to Everette again against Cincinnati has already generated discussion this week.

Higgins has hardly made the assignment any easier since their previous encounter. The veteran enters Sunday with 758 receiving yards and six touchdowns, including four scores across his last two appearances. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Higgins has a six-inch height advantage over Samuel and outweighs him by 40 pounds.

Samuel isn't going to spend Saturday night growing six inches. His best chance of disrupting Higgins comes from maintaining favorable leverage, anticipating the football and preventing the receiver from establishing position before the pass arrives. Once Higgins has boxed out a smaller defender, Burrow essentially has permission to throw him an alley-oop.

Steelers Need Samuel To Turn His Confidence Into Production

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham has a difficult decision regarding how aggressively Pittsburgh should trust Samuel in isolated coverage. The veteran deserves another opportunity, but Cincinnati's receiving talent makes stubbornness an expensive coaching philosophy.

Pittsburgh should give Samuel the chance to establish himself early Sunday. However, if Burrow repeatedly exploits the same matchup, Graham shouldn't hesitate to involve Everette or adjust the coverage. Samuel's desire for redemption is understandable, but winning the division takes precedence over allowing one player to settle a personal score.

There are financial implications for Samuel as well. The veteran returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year contract in March, meaning his performances against opponents of Cincinnati's caliber could influence whether the organization views him as a long-term answer at cornerback. Beating up on an average receiving corps is useful; holding your own against Higgins and Chase is the kind of evidence that can make a front office considerably more comfortable committing money.

Samuel has apparently spent nearly seven weeks thinking about another opportunity to challenge Higgins. On Sunday night, with first place in the division available, he could finally get the chance to replace one of Cincinnati's favorite highlights with one Pittsburgh fans will enjoy considerably more.

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