Will the Steelers sign CB Asante Samuel Jr.?
According to reports, the Steelers are on free agent CB Asante Samuel Jr.’s itinerary, scheduled to visit Pittsburgh next week. He has other visits lined up before then, though, and he could theoretically sign at any point while on location. Or after he has left. Like many teams, the Steelers prefer to have a contract signed before a player leaves.
A fifth-year player, Asante Samuel Jr. has six career receptions in 50 games played, all with the Chargers. He suffered a severe injury last season that limited him to just four games, and only recently has he received medical clearance to resume his career.
With the Steelers having injuries at safety and moving Jalen Ramsey there, the Asante Samuel Jr. interest actually makes sense. Halfway through the season, they are surely realizing their grand plan in the secondary hasn’t worked out. Already, they have cut back Darius Slay’s snaps, promoting Brandin Echols and even James Pierre.
With Cory Trice Jr. apparently perpetually doomed, the Steelers could plus Samuel into the starting lineup with Joey Porter Jr. the cornerback across from him, with Echols and Slay managing the rest of the cornerback snaps and Ramsey and Kyle Dugger at safety.
That is if he even gets here. Before he visits the Steelers, Samuel already has at least five other visits lined up. He met with the Panthers yesterday and is set to see the Packers today, then the Vikings. Next week, he has the 49ers and Bears on deck before meeting the Steelers on Wednesday. That’s a good percentage of the league, and the list can still grow.
Especially with the trade deadline come and gone, any team in need of a cornerback is likely to express interest in Asante Samuel Jr., the Steelers among them. But how interested are they? That is the question, and the answer depends on how they feel about their group. Are they resigned to Slay becoming a part-time player, and Ramsey primarily playing safety? Do they see Samuel as a potential long-term investment, or a one-year rental?
After another disappointing season and months of retooling, the Steelers are set to try it all again in 2025. Though they limped into the playoffs, they once again embarrassed themselves therein.
Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers isthe quarterback question. They settled in on Aaron Rodgers, but we still have a lot to learn about him. The2025 NFL Draft class could play a big role, but veteran additions like Jalen Ramsey will be paramount.
Now we are in the regular season. From Rodgers to George Pickens to Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ramsey, we’ve seen the Steelers make some big changes. Now it’s about evaluating the roster in place and figuring out how it all works out.
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