The Pittsburgh Steelers have some decisions to make ahead of free agency. Which players will they let walk, and which ones will they try to re-sign? Two of the more notable names on the defensive side are both cornerbacks: James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr.
Both Pierre and Samuel started games for the Steelers in 2025. In fact, Pierre was a fantastic player for the Steelers last season. Per Pro Football Focus, he graded out in coverage as the best corner with at least 250 coverage snaps at 88.9. Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo thinks the Steelers should want both of them back, but he doesn’t think either of them should be the starter across from CB Joey Porter Jr. He expects the Steelers to do a lot of work at the position this offseason.
“That no way changes the offseason plan, for me, for the Steelers,” Fittipaldo said Tuesday on the North Shore Drive podcast. “They gotta draft one, probably in the first couple of rounds. And they would probably have to go out there and sign a veteran free agent who’s gonna at least hold down a starting spot opposite Joey Porter Jr. I just don’t know if you can go into the 2026 season counting on either James Pierre or Asante Samuel Jr. if you want to upgrade that defense.”
According to the Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, the Steelers have engaged in conversations with both Samuel’s and Pierre’s representatives. So, if you’d like to see either or both of them back in Pittsburgh next season, that’s a good sign.
However, Fittipaldo doesn’t envision either Samuel or Pierre as a potential positive starter for the Steelers in 2026. That may surprise some people, considering how well Pierre played last year. Plus, Samuel has starting experience from his time with the Los Angeles Chargers before his injury. Even if the Steelers bring them back, Fittipaldo envisions the Steelers looking for more talent outside Pittsburgh, too.
The Steelers certainly could use more long-term answers at the position, though. In recent memory, the Steelers have attempted to patch holes in the secondary with aging players (see CB Darius Slay, DB Jalen Ramsey last offseason, CB Patrick Peterson the year before). Yet, other than Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers haven’t invested early draft capital in the position in a while.
If the Steelers want an impact corner in the draft, they’ll have to do it early, too. Draft analyst Dane Brugler thinks the corner class is top-heavy and teams should draft one in the first three rounds if they want a good player.
The Steelers want to bring both James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. back in 2026. Just don’t be surprised if they add other corners to the mix, too.
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