Steelers Likely to Re-sign 2 Cornerbacks, Per Report

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac believes the Steelers will retain James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. ahead of the 2026 season.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 11:05am

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According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to re-sign cornerbacks James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. before the start of the 2026 NFL season. Pierre initially joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and later returned to the team's practice squad in 2024 after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders. Samuel, who underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2025, joined the Steelers' practice squad later that year.

Why it matters

Retaining Pierre and Samuel would provide much-needed stability and depth in the Steelers' secondary, which struggled at times during the 2025 season. With few other options at cornerback outside of Joey Porter Jr., keeping these two players would be a significant boost for Pittsburgh's defense heading into the 2026 campaign.

The details

James Pierre spent four seasons with the Steelers before joining the Washington Commanders as a free agent in 2024. After failing to make the Commanders' initial 53-man roster, he returned to Pittsburgh via the practice squad in mid-September 2024. Asante Samuel Jr. joined the Steelers' practice squad shortly after he was cleared for football activity in November 2025 following spinal fusion surgery in April.

  • Pierre initially joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
  • Pierre returned to the Steelers' practice squad in mid-September 2024 after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders.
  • Samuel joined the Steelers' practice squad in November 2025 after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April of that year.

The players

James Pierre

A cornerback who spent four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Washington Commanders as a free agent in 2024, and later returning to the Steelers' practice squad in 2024.

Asante Samuel Jr.

A cornerback who joined the Steelers' practice squad in November 2025 after undergoing spinal fusion surgery earlier that year.

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What they’re saying

“I think [James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr.] will [re-sign].”

— Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter

What’s next

The Steelers will need to finalize contract negotiations with Pierre and Samuel Jr. before the start of the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

Retaining Pierre and Samuel Jr. would provide much-needed stability and depth in the Steelers' secondary, which was a weak spot for the team in 2025. Keeping these two cornerbacks would be a significant boost for Pittsburgh's defense as they look to bounce back in the 2026 season.