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There’s a saying that goes, once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, but if something happens three times, it’s a pattern.
For the third time this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are signing a former Minnesota Vikings defensive back.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported on August 14 that the Steelers signed USFL cornerback Nevelle Clarke. He has never played in an NFL regular season game, but Clarke spent time with the Vikings during training camp in 2020.
#Steelers signing @USFLBreakers corner Nevelle Clarke, per a league source previously #Vikings
Clarke played college football at UCF from 2016-19. He played for the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL during 2022.
Steelers Add Nevelle Clarke to 90-Man Roster
Wilson also reported on August 14 that the Steelers held a workout for defensive back Corn Elder. It was unclear at the time of Clarke’s signing if Clarke worked out for the Steelers as well, but clearly, Pittsburgh chose to add Clarke rather than Elder.
Clarke recorded 26 tackles and 2 interceptions during the 2022 USFL season. He finished the season on the team’s inactive roster because of a hamstring injury.
In four seasons at UCF, Clarke posted 107 combined tackles, including 7 tackles for loss, 29 pass defenses and 5 interceptions. He also had 1 fumble recovery and returned 1 of his interceptions for a touchdown.
Clarke played six games for UCF in 2017 when the team went undefeated and claimed a share of the FBS national championship.
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora speculated that Clarke will replace cornerback Duke Dawson on the Steelers’ 90-man roster. Dawson left Week 1 of the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an injury.
Whether it’s with Dawson or another player, the Steelers will have to make a corresponding move to make space for Clarke on the roster.
Steelers Also Signed Former Vikings CBs Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan This Offseason
The careers of Peterson, Sullivan and Clarke don’t have much in common. But they have all experienced at least a short stint with the Vikings.
Clarke’s was the shortest. He was an undrafted free agent for the Vikings during 2020. Neither Sullivan nor Peterson were in Minnesota at that time.
But Peterson played for the Vikings in 2021 and 2022. During those two seasons, the former All-Pro recorded 111 combined tackles, including 5 tackles for loss. Peterson also had 20 pass defenses and 6 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Sullivan spent the 2022 season with Minnesota as well. He posted 60 combined tackles, including 2 for loss, and 7 pass defenses in 17 games. Sullivan made 10 starts for the Vikings.
The Steelers signed Peterson on the first day of NFL free agency to help replace departed cornerback Cam Sutton, who left for a contract with the Detroit Lions.
During the final day of the 2023 NFL draft, the Steelers also signed Sullivan.
Peterson played 10 years for the Arizona Cardinals prior to joining the Vikings. He made first-team All-Pro three times and earned eight Pro Bowl nominations during that decade.
Sullivan spent a season with the Philadelphia Eagles and three years with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Vikings.
The Steelers signing three former Vikings players could receive some criticism from the media and fans. Minnesota allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL last season.
However, Clarke wasn’t part of that team and will likely have to show he’s improved tremendously in order to make Pittsburgh’s final roster.
Furthermore, Peterson indicated on his podcast, “All Things Covered,” that he could play multiple positions this season, including slot cornerback. That could limit the amount of snaps Peterson and Sullivan are on the field together for the Steelers defense this fall.