The Pittsburgh Steelers continued a busy Monday with a significant free-agent addition.
Pittsburgh signed cornerback Jamel Dean, as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. He’ll receive a three-year contract worth $36.75 million.
Dean changes teams after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former third-round pick has amassed 359 tackles, 61 pass breakups and 11 interceptions in 96 career regular-season games.
The Auburn alumn ended his second NFL campaign by winning a Lombardi Trophy as a starter. Dean allowed just 31 yards on seven targets as the primary defender in a lopsided Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dean made big plays throughout the 2025 season, forcing two fumbles, producing his first career sack and returning one of three interceptions for a touchdown. The 29-year-old allowed 29 completions on 59 targets and a 63.1 quarterback rating in pass coverage.
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Pro Football Focus graded Dean third among 114 eligible cornerbacks last season, so he represents a massive boost to a Steelers defense that ranked 29th against the pass.
Dean joins a secondary in need of depth behind cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Brandin Echols. Pittsburgh acquired Jalen Ramsey last offseason, but the All-Pro has since moved to free safety.
The Steelers also lost a key cornerback on Monday. The Minnesota Vikings signed James Pierre to a two-year, $8.5 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. Pierre started last season’s final six games, including a first-round playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
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