After finishing last season with the 25th-ranked total defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to improve that side of the football this offseason. One significant defensive position that has been under the microscope in recent days for Steelers GM Omar Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy has been cornerback.
According to insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, not only did the Steelers meet with representatives of free-agent cornerbacks James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. at the NFL Scouting Combine, but Pittsburgh could be interested in going after a trade for Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Cornerback is a Clear Point of Emphasis for the Pittsburgh Steelers This Offseason
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers signed Asante Samuel to their practice squad in November of last season.
Not only did the Steelers have the 25th-ranked total defense last season, but their pass defense finished the season ranked 29th. The cornerback position is a clear part of that and likely needs to be improved mightily in the coming weeks if this team wants to get back to playing elite defensive football.
Both Pierre and Samuel were serviceable players for Pittsburgh last season, which is why the team met with both players’ representatives in recent days. Here is what DeFabo had to say about the significance of those meetings:
“The Steelers met with James Pierre’s representative in Indianapolis this week and also spoke with Asante Samuel Jr.’s camp. Pierre climbed the ladder last year, from the practice squad to a starting role…Samuel’s market is interesting. The Steelers were one of only a few teams willing to medically clear the corner following spinal fusion surgery. The team should factor in the medical risk when determining what they’re comfortable offering.”
DeFabo noted that a two or three-year deal worth above the veteran minimum may be enough to get Pierre to come back. The 29-year-old recorded a career-high 11 pass deflections in 2025. Samuel, on the other hand, was able to record his first interception in over two years last December.
Pittsburgh Could Look to Trade for Kansas City Chiefs Cornerback Trent McDuffie
GettyKansas City Chiefs star cornerback Trent McDuffie could be on the trading block this offseason.
Not only did the Steelers meet with representatives of their own players, but rumors of a potential trade were floating around the team, too. Here is what DeFabo also had to say about the Steelers potentially being open to trading for an elite cornerback such as Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Trent McDuffie:
“The Kansas City Chiefs’ salary-cap situation and two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie’s contract status could put the 25-year-old on the trading block…If the Chiefs can’t get a deal done, at what price would the Steelers consider making an offer?”
The two-time Super Bowl champion has been a major piece of the Kansas City defense since he was drafted in the first round out of Washington back in 2022. After combining to record 20 total pass deflections and 90 total solo tackles across the last two seasons, McDuffie, who is set to count $13.6 million against the salary cap in Kansas City this year, may be a trade option for the Steelers if they would like to be aggressive in their approach towards building up the talent in the cornerback room again.
Steelers Could Have Interest in a Trade for All-Pro Cornerback: Report