The Pittsburgh Steelers made their first move of free agency by re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year deal, according to reports.
The move to bring back the five-year veteran came hours before the NFL’s legal tampering period began at noon Monday, when pending free agents can negotiate with other teams. The 26-year-old Samuel joined the Steelers in November and appeared in six regular season games with three starts.
Samuel received a one-year, $4 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back hadn’t played in more than a year because of injury before arriving in Pittsburgh last fall. He finished the 2025 season with one interception and 10 tackles.
Fellow cornerback James Pierre is also a pending free agent, so Samuel’s return bolsters a position of need for the Steelers. Starting corner Joey Porter Jr. has one year remaining on his rookie contract, and Brandin Echols also will be a free agent in 2027.
A former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, Samuel has started 50 of 56 career games. He has seven career interceptions.
Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery last April to address a long-term neck and shoulder condition that limited him to four games in 2024. Steelers neurosurgeon David Okonkwo performed the procedure and cleared Samuel for football activities last October.
His father played 11 NFL seasons for the Patriots, Eagles and Falcons.