The Pittsburgh Steelers have continued searching for their next head coach. But at the same time, they’ve filled out their offseason roster. Over the weekend, they signed defensive back D’Shawn Jamison to a reserve/future contract.
The Steelers announced the signing on Saturday evening. Jamison is the 16th player the team has inked to a futures deal.
Jamison spent 2025 with the Steelers. The defensive back signed with the team’s practice squad after his release at the end of the preseason.
He made three appearances as a practice squad elevation during the regular season. Jamison also dressed for the team’s AFC wild card matchup against the Houston Texans.
Jamison didn’t play any snaps on defense. But in those four contests, including the playoffs, he lined up for 17 special teams snaps.
SI on Steelers’ Noah Strackbein hyped Jamison for his speed.
“Even during training camp, Jamison caught people’s eye. As a true speedster, he’s capable of being a return man or playing in coverage. While not a name the Steelers trusted to put on defense this past season, they certainly viewed him as one of the top practice squad options in case of emergency,” wrote Strackbein.
Steelers Sign CB D’Shawn Jamison
The Steelers are somewhat blindly adding players to their offseason roster. Until they hire their next head coach, it won’t be clear if those players on reserve contracts really have a future in Pittsburgh.
But if the next Steelers head coach wants quality special teams depth, Jamison is an intriguing roster addition.
As Strackbein explained, speed makes him a potential significant special teams contributor in a variety of ways. Jamison is a candidate for another season on the Steelers practice squad to provide cornerback depth as well.
After joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Jamison spent his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers. He dressed in 15 contests, making one start.
Jamison spent most of the 2024 campaign on the Steelers practice squad. He made his Steelers debut on November 16, 2025.
In 18 NFL games, Jamison has posted 10 combined tackles and one pass defense.
The Steelers signed 13 players on future contracts on January 14. The following day, the team added two more players — lineman Doug Nester and receiver Brandon Smith — on reserve deals.
Danny Smith Faces Uncertain Future With Steelers
With Mike Tomlin’s departure, the Steelers released all of their assistants from their contracts.
Those assistants could still return under the next Steelers head coach. However, they are available to pursue other coaching opportunities.
That includes special teams coordinator Danny Smith, who has been with the Steelers since 2013.
Smith has become a fan favorite during that time. His Steelers special teams units have also been among the best in the league.
On January 16, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced interviewing Smith for their open special teams role. Following that news, Steelers fans voiced their displeasure on social media over the possibility of Smith leaving Pittsburgh.
In all likelihood, the Steelers next head coach could be interested in retaining Smith. But doing that might depend on how quickly the Steelers make their head coaching hire.
If Smith returns, role players such as Jamison have a clearer path back onto the team’s roster.
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