After nearly a year away from football recovering from spinal fusion surgery, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. Is finally back in the NFL—and he’s starting a new chapter with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At 26, Samuel may not be ready to immediately dominate, but he has the potential to give the Steelers something they’ve been searching for: experience, talent, and the potential to stabilize a cornerback position that has been inconsistent outside of Joey Porter Jr.
Samuel’s career numbers speak to his ability. He’s played 50 games with 47 starts, logged 3,010 defensive snaps, allowed a 59.5% completion rate, and recorded 6 interceptions along with 34 pass breakups. Those stats show he’s been a steady, above-average starter—exactly the kind of player a secondary can build around.
Given his age and past production, the Steelers should view Samuel as more than just a short-term addition. A two- or three-year deal would give them a corner entering his prime with something to prove, likely without breaking the bank. It would also ease the pressure to spend a premium draft pick on a cornerback in April, allowing the team to focus resources elsewhere.
Samuel’s return isn’t about expecting him to be a force right away, although that would be ideal - it’s about investing in a player with proven talent, resilience, and upside. If he can stay healthy and get back into form, he has the potential to be a key piece in the Steelers’ secondary for years to come—a long-term solution in a spot that has been anything but consistent.