The Steelers signed a cornerback and added offensive playmakers on the first day of free agency, and by yesterday, the fourth day of free agency, they had patched a gaping hole at a position ravaged by injury and free agency when they signed safety Jaquan Brisker to a one-year deal for a reported $5.5 million.
The signing came a day after the Steelers had added another safety, Darnell Savage, to a one-year deal for a reported $1.5 million.
The two safeties join the two apparent starters -- Jalen Ramsey and Deshon Elliott -- on the Steelers' back end.
Ramsey, of course, had been moved to free safety full-time in the second half of last season after spending his career at cornerback. Elliott missed most of last season with a knee/hamstring injury.
The Steelers also lost safety Miles Killebrew yesterday to Tampa Bay, where the special teams dynamo is reunited with former Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith.
The Steelers haven't offered their other safeties with the team at the end of last season -- free agents Kyle Dugger, Chuck Clark, or Jabrill Peppers -- a contract.
Brisker, who'll turn 27 on April 20, is a 6-1 1/2, 199-pounder out of Penn State who has started at both safety positions during his four-year stint as a full-time starter with the Chicago Bears.
Born in nearby Monroeville, the grandson of former ABA/NBA star John Brisker attended Gateway High before spending two years at Lackawanna College. He then chose Penn State over Alabama and other Division One schools in 2019 and became a starter -- along with Joey Porter Jr. -- in the Penn State secondary.
A team captain in 2021, Brisker ended his collegiate career as a first-team All-Big Ten selection and was drafted in the second round (48th overall) of the 2022 draft by the Bears. At his NFL Combine, Brisker ran a 4.45 40 (1.57 10) with agility times of 4.19/6.91, a 38.5 vertical jump, and 22 bench reps.
Brisker was immediately installed as the Bears' starting strong safety, where he spent the next three seasons before moving to free safety last season.
With the Bears, Brisker had 4 career interceptions and forced 4 fumbles, but also suffered at least three concussions.
His highlights included leading the Bears with 4 sacks in being named the Bears' Rookie of the Year in 2022, making 105 tackles in 2023, and making 17 starts and 93 tackles in 2025.
Savage, who'll turn 29 on July 30, was born in Newark, Delaware, and attended the University of Maryland as a three-star prospect.
In four years at Maryland, Savage made 8 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Savage finished his senior season as a second-team All-Big Ten honoree, and at the NFL Combine measured 5-10 3/4, 198, and ran a 4.36 40 (1.56 10) with agility times of 4.14/7.03 and a 39.5 vertical jump.
Savage was drafted 21st overall by the Green Bay Packers, who had traded up to select him. The Packers started Savage at free safety in his rookie opener and he ended the season being named to the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team.
Savage remained the Packers' full-time starting free safety and had his fifth-year option picked up before the 2022 season. But in 2023, he missed games with calf and shoulder injuries. He came back for the playoffs and returned an interception of Dak Prescott for a touchdown in a playoff game that helped defeat Mike McCarthy's Cowboys.
Savage signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars before the 2024 season and missed four games with an injured quadriceps. He was released last Sept. 16 and signed with the Washington Commanders, where he was coached by new Steelers assistant coaches Joe Whitt Jr. and Jason Simmons.
Savage asked for his release on Dec. 4 and was claimed by the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 6.
In his career, Savage has played 97 games, with 83 starts. He's made 10 interceptions and forced 3 fumbles. In 8 playoff games, Savage has 7 starts with the lone interception of Prescott.
The Steelers also this week signed punter Cameron Johnston, a punter the Steelers had signed to a three-year, $9 million contract before the 2024 season. Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first game and was beaten out for the job last season by Corliss Waitman, who was not offered a tender this year as a restricted free agent.
In two seasons as the Steelers' punter, Waitman compiled a gross average of 46.3 with a net of 41.9. The 34-year-old Johnston has career averages of 47.2 and 42.0.
The Steelers did suffer an unwanted loss yesterday when Connor Heyward signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Steelers' short-yardage quarterback was officially the team's fourth tight end, but had his best season as a lead-blocking fullback, where he'll play for the Raiders.
The Steelers also parted ways with WR Calvin Austin, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the New York Giants.
The Steelers have called a press conference for 11 a.m. today to meet their new players.
Jaquan Brisker (1) has been reunited with Penn State teammate Joey Porter Jr. (9) with the Steelers (Photo: Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports)