The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared interested in the veteran safety market during the first week of training camp. To begin the first weekend of camp, the team added a 10-year veteran at the position in Rayshawn Jenkins.
Former NFL defensive back Jahleel Addae reported on X that Jenkins signed a 1-year contract with the Steelers on Saturday.
“Per Source: Rayshawn Jenkins has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers,” wrote Addae. “Pittsburgh adds a 10-year veteran, versatile playmaker, and experienced leader to its secondary.”
Jenkins spent last season with the Cleveland Browns. In 17 games, he registered 45 combined tackles, one pass defense and one interception.
Jenkins started three of those 17 contests.
Steelers Sign Safety Rayshawn Jenkins: Report
GettyFormer NFL player Jahleel Addae reported on social media safety Rayshawn Jenkins signed a 1-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jenkins began his career as the No. 113 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft for the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent his rookie contract with the Chargers before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars during 2021.
The past two years, he’s spent one year with the Seattle Seahawks and then Browns.
Jenkins didn’t start immediately with Los Angeles, but he grew into a starting role by his third season. In 2019, he posted 54 combined tackles with four pass defenses and three interceptions.
Jenkins also had three interceptions in 2022, but the total remains a career high.
In Jacksonville, Jenkins improved tremendously in tackling and in coverage. In addition to the three picks, the safety had a career-best 116 combined tackles and 12 pass defenses during 2022.
The following season, he had 101 combined tackles, including seven tackles for loss and nine pass defenses.
Jenkins started nine games for the Seahawks during 2024. Last season, he played just 277 defensive snaps, which was his lowest since 2018. While playing in Cleveland, Jenkins averaged just 16.3 defensive snaps per game.
What Will Jenkins Bring to Steelers
GettyVeteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins played for the Cleveland Browns last season.
The Steelers entered training camp with a top-heavy safety situation. DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage are likely to be the top three safety options for Pittsburgh this fall. But behind them is a lot of inexperience. Robert Spears-Jennings, Jack Henderson and Sebastian Castro all have one year of NFL experience or less.
The addition of Jenkins gives the Steelers a fourth experienced safety who could play a lot on special teams.
To begin his career with the Chargers, Jenkins played 316 snaps on special teams as a rookie. He then played 270 special teams snaps in 2018 before seeing his role decline on that unit as his job on defense increased during 2019.
Even still, Jenkins lined up for at least 100 special teams snaps in four of six seasons from 2019-24. Last year, he played 236 special teams snaps — his most since 2018.
The Steelers have yet to officially announce the Jenkins signing. When they do, the team will have to release a player from its roster, which was full as of Saturday morning.
In 139 NFL games, Jenkins has registered 562 combined tackles with 5.5 sacks, 34 pass defenses and 11 interceptions.
Steelers Add Ex-Browns Experienced, ‘Versatile Playmaker’: Report