The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day to a two-year contract, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is worth $11 million with $6 million of that coming in 2026.
Former Titans free-agent defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph Day is signing a two-year, $11 million deal with the Steelers, including $6 million this year, per agent Drew Rosenhaus. pic.twitter.com/HyMeDZaWvo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2026
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes Joseph-Day had “strong” interest and presumably picked Pittsburgh over other teams.
Joseph-Day, turning 31 next week, is a seven-year NFL veteran. He’s appeared in 105 games with 90 starts. For his career, Joseph-Day has recorded 314 tackles (30 for a loss) with 15.5 sacks. In 2025, he played in all 17 games with 10 starts for the Tennessee Titans, recording 41 tackles (six for a loss) and two sacks. He’s regarded as a run defender first and effort player as a pass rusher.
He’ll add key defensive line help to improve a Pittsburgh run defense that has struggled for the last two seasons. He’s mostly played three-tech and defensive end throughout his career, including in 2025, but it’s possible the Steelers could try him at nose tackle behind Keeanu Benton. Yahya Black could shift inside and play more nose tackle after primarily playing defensive end last season. A new coaching staff may have a different perspective of how the pieces fit.
Still, it seems likely Cam Heyward and Derrick Harmon will be the Steelers’ starting defensive ends with Joseph-Day rotating behind.
Per PFF, here’s Joseph-Day’s career snap alignment:
B-Gap: 1,694 snaps
A-Gap: 768 snaps
Over Tackle: 733 snaps
Outside Tackle: 460 snaps
Most of his career A-gap snaps came in his first four seasons. In past years, he’s played three-tech and defensive end including 258 combined defensive end snaps with the Titans a year ago. Pro Football Focus graded Joseph-Day slightly better as a pass rusher than run stopper in 2025.
Initially drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 out of Rutgers, Joseph-Day’s spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and the last two years with the Titans. Coming out of the draft, he measured in at 6030, 299 pounds with long 34 1/2-inch arms.
He is Pittsburgh’s latest defensive addition this free agency. The Steelers have officially or reportedly signed CB Jamel Dean, S Jaquan Brisker and S Darnell Savage Jr.
Look for a full film room on Joseph-Day over the weekend. And Dave Bryan has a possible, though not confirmed, contract structure below.