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Editors note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2026 season.
The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with two players each day between June 13 and July 28.
Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
CB ASANTE SAMUEL JR.
Experience/age: sixth season, 26 Contract status: $4 million cap hit in 2026, signed one-year contract The past: Samuel had spinal fusion surgery in April 2025 and wasnt cleared for football activities until November.
Once medically cleared, the free agent joined the Steelers practice squad for a few weeks before being added to the 53-man roster Dec.
2.
The Steelers cut ties with veteran cornerback Darius Slay at the same time.
Samuel went on to play six games last season with three starts.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder had 10 tackles, one interception and one pass defense.
He logged 55, 75 and 54 snaps as a starter in weeks 15-17 when a calf injury sidelined James Pierre.
His season provided a small sample size, but Pro Football Focus gave Samuel a solid overall grade of 70.1 on a 100-point scale.
In all, he allowed seven receptions and two touchdowns on 146 passing plays last season.
His father, Asante Sr., played cornerback in the NFL for 11 seasons with the Patriots, Eagles and Falcons and made 51 career interceptions.
He won two Super Bowls, made the Pro Bowl four times and was named a first-team All-Pro once.
Asante Samuel Jr.
picks off Tua! NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2025 MIAvsPIT on ESPN/ABC Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/JQG3qDu9Kk 2026 outlook: Samuel in March signed a one-year contract to stay with the Steelers.
He and free agent cornerback Jamel Dean signed days apart, shoring up the depth chart at a position that also features Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols and rookie Daylen Everette.
Porter and Dean are the presumed starters on the outside with Ramsey likely defending the slot.
Samuel provides veteran depth on the outside.
A second-round draft pick in 2021, Samuel was a steady starter earlier in his career.
He played his first four seasons with the Chargers and started 47 of 50 games.
The neck issue limited him to 10 games (seven starts) over the past two seasons, but last fall, he declared himself the healthiest Ive ever been.
Samuel picked off Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in a Week 15 victory on a Monday night at Acrisure Stadium.
The interception was the seventh of Samuels career.
He has 186 career tackles and 38 pass defenses.