Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
S Jalen Elliott
Experience/age: 3rd year, 8 games of NFL experience/Turns 26 in July
Contract status: $915,000 cap hit if he makes the team in 2024.
The past: Elliott was undrafted out of Notre Dame when he signed with the Detroit Lions in 2020. He returned in 2021 and appeared in eight games with the Lions that season, making one start and contributing 12 tackles. That is the extent of Elliott’s NFL experience.
Elliott was with New England and Las Vegas before the Steelers signed him last August to provide depth after several injuries hit the secondary. Released at the end of training camp, Elliott resurfaced Oct. 31 when the Steelers signed him to the practice squad. He was released four weeks later, then returned to the practice squad in mid-December. The Steelers signed him to a reserve/futures contract in January.
2024 outlook: Elliott, who measures 6-foot, 206 pounds, faces an uphill climb to earn a roster spot, although his path got a little clearer with the release of Trenton Thompson. Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott are the starters, with Damontae Kazee filling the role as the top reserve. Miles Killebrew is the fourth veteran safety on the roster.
Jalen Elliott and Nate Meadors round out the safety group that will report to Saint Vincent College on July 24.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.