Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers special teams ace Miles Killebrew will join former Steelers assistant Danny Smith with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Thursday the Buccaneers signed Killebrew to a 1-year deal worth about $1.8 million. The move comes a little less than two months after Tampa Bay hired Smith as its next special teams coach.
“Reuniting with special teams coordinator Danny Smith from their Pittsburgh days,” wrote Fowler on X.
Reuniting with special teams coordinator Danny Smith from their Pittsburgh days.
Killebrew spent five seasons with the Steelers. He only started one game, but the safety made a tremendous impact on special teams.
During 2023, he made first-team All-Pro and the Pro Bowl as a special teams ace. He made the Pro Bowl again in 2024.
Killebrew suffered a torn ACL during Week 6 last season. He ended his Steelers tenure on injured reserve.
Smith coached Killebrew for his entire Steelers tenure. Smith served as Pittsburgh’s special teams coordinator under former head coach Mike Tomlin from 2013-25.
Steelers Lose Safety Miles Killebrew to Buccaneers
The Steelers played the final three months of 2025 without their special teams ace. So, they probably already have a blueprint for replacing the veteran.
But he’s a significant loss nonetheless.
Killebrew joined the Steelers on a 1-year contract from the Detroit Lions in 2021. He quickly became a vital part of Smith’s special teams unit.
Killebrew’s 335 special teams snaps during 2021 were his most during his five-year stint in Pittsburgh.
The following offseason, the Steelers re-signed the safety on a 2-year, $4 million contract.
In 2023, the Steelers suffered so many injuries they turned to Killebrew on defense as well. The safety played 111 defensive snaps while still lining up for 300-plus snaps on special teams. During that campaign, he had 26 combined tackles, including one for loss, one quarterback hit and a safety recorded on his way to first-team All-Pro.
Killsbrew resumed his primary special teams duties in 2024. He played 81 snaps on special teams in five games last season.
Over 10 NFL seasons — five with both the Steelers and Lions — Killebrew has registered 166 combined tackles, including 130 solos. He also six pass defenses and two interceptions.
Killebrew has blocked four punts as well, three of which came with the Steelers.
Buccaneers Also Added Danny Smith
It’s not shocking Killebrew reunited with Smith. Pundits appeared to consider it a strong possibility when Smith landed with the Buccaneers in January.
Smith became one of the most sought-after former Steelers assistants when the team notified its staff Tomlin’s replacement would have to re-hire them. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Buccaneers hired Smith on January 20.
During his decade-plus in Pittsburgh, Smith was one of the most popular figures — both locally and nationally — for the Steelers. He became famous for his special team splash plays and big wads of chewing gum.
Smith’s units left something to be desired from a returning standpoint. But his units often featured elite field goal kicking and punting. There were also few special teams units better at blocking kicks than Smith’s in Pittsburgh.
Smith will be entering his 32nd NFL season this fall. He has experienced coaching stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and then Washington Redskins.
Smith, who is a Pittsburgh native, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1976.
Danny Smith, Buccaneers Poach Former Steelers All-Pro: Report