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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves scrambling to patch up their secondary, a predicament largely of their own making. With injuries mounting and depth thinning, the defense must adjust on the fly with a patchwork group of defensive backs.
As the Steelers seek solutions, one former player emerges as the most sorely missed—and it's likely not who you'd expect.
While the immediate returns of safety DeShon Elliott and a capable replacement for Joey Porter Jr. are pressing needs, neither of those top-tier defenders tops the list of Pittsburgh's most keenly felt absences.
That distinction belongs to James Pierre, now a cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings and a perpetually underrated asset during his time with the Steelers.
Pierre's Value Continues Growing Outside of Pittsburgh
James Pierre spent six seasons in Pittsburgh, evolving from a special teams contributor to a rotational outside corner and occasional starter. Throughout his tenure, there was a persistent belief that he had more to offer.
Former head coach Mike Tomlin often praised Pierre's knack for rising to the occasion. Last season provided the clearest evidence of that potential.
In 2025, over 14 games with five starts, Pierre excelled in coverage. Targeted 35 times, he surrendered just 15 completions, snagged an interception, and did not allow a single touchdown. According to Pro Football Reference, opposing quarterbacks managed a paltry passer rating of 41.2 when throwing his way.
That performance earned him a starting role with the Vikings for the 2026 season, and he has looked outstanding early on. Operating as a primary outside corner under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Pierre's aggressive style and long reach make him an ideal fit as Flores's CB1.
In just four games, he has already recorded an interception and broken up three passes on 12 targets.
Steelers Desperately Need That Type of Corner
Losing Porter Jr. was a significant blow, as he ranks among the league's elite corners. With a healthy Jamel Dean and the right supporting cast, Pittsburgh could potentially weather that loss. However, assembling that supporting cast has proven more challenging than acquiring top-end talent.
Pierre is the perfect player for such a situation: a starter who flies under the radar and stabilizes the entire depth chart. As the Steelers search for an identity on both sides of the ball, it's players like James Pierre who are missed the most.
Jacob is a featured writer covering the Pittsburgh Steelers for Steelers On SI and the NHL for Breakaway On SI. He also co-hosts the All Steelers Talk podcast. Previous work includes covering the NHL for Inside the Penguins and The Hockey News. Follow Jake_Atsby.