Asante Samuel Jr. is making his case early in Steelers training camp, and the signs are hard to miss.
In a camp that has already produced a handful of encouraging performances, Samuel has stood out by turning reps into real momentum. The former second-round pick has been active against Aaron Rodgers and the first team, using his athleticism to break up passes and force the offense to work for everything. It’s the kind of presence that gets noticed fast, both on the field and in the stands.
That kind of flash lines up with the player Samuel has been before. At Florida State, he put together a strong senior season and drew plenty of attention from NFL executives. In 2020, he led the ACC in pass breakups with 14, which tied for eighth nationally, and he also added four interceptions before entering the NFL Draft.
His path since then hasn’t been simple. Samuel spent four seasons with the Chargers before suffering a spinal injury that required surgery. He later became an unrestricted free agent, but his time in football was far from over.
Pittsburgh took a chance on him in November, signing him to the practice squad. By December, he had made the 53-man roster and was already contributing. He started three games for the Steelers, finished with ten tackles and an interception, and then landed a one-year, $4 million deal.
That background matters because Samuel’s camp showing feels like more than a nice stretch of practice. It looks like a player determined to grab hold of another opening.
The Steelers’ defensive staff has reason to keep watching closely, too. Patrick Graham is trying to reshape a unit that struggled badly in the air last season. In 2025, Pittsburgh ranked 29th in passing yards allowed per game at 244.9, 20th in opposing passer rating at 92%, and gave up 30 passing touchdowns.
Injuries were part of the problem, but the need for help was obvious.
So far, Graham’s more hands-on approach appears to be pushing the right buttons, and players like Samuel are benefiting from the opportunity. If he keeps stacking strong practices, he could work his way into a steady rotation at slot cornerback, which would also free Jalen Ramsey to move around the defense more often.
None of it will be handed to him. Samuel has to keep taking it. And in this camp, he looks ready to do exactly that.
In Other News...
Steelers May Have Finally Found A Better Way To Use Their D-Line
During the first week of Steelers training camp, the defensive line has already started to look a little different under Patrick Grahams eye. The new defensive coordinator has been experimenting with assignments that depart from how the previous staff deployed the group, with Keeanu Benton getting work at right defensive end and rookie Yahya Black sliding into nose tackle. Even veteran Cameron Heyward has taken snaps at nose tackle, a reminder that this is less about labels and more about finding the right fit for each body type and skill set.
For a defense that has long leaned on its front to set the tone, those early camp tweaks are worth watching. Pittsburgh has talent up front, but the question has been whether the coaching staff could line those pieces up in a way that gets more out of them, rather than forcing them into familiar roles. Graham is clearly testing that idea now, and the next step is seeing which of these alignments actually sticks once the pads stay on and the reps get more competitive. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Allar Is Already Showing Steelers Fans A Different Offense
The first week of training camp has given Steelers fans an early look at Drew Allar, the 2026 draft pick who already seems willing to push the ball in a way the offense has not always done in recent years. Rather than living on conservative, short-area throws, Allar has brought a more aggressive mindset to his work, and that alone has made him a notable presence as camp gets underway.
Of course, the approach comes with the usual rookie tradeoffs. Allar has also had his share of errant throws and questionable decisions, reminders that the talent is there but the refinement is still coming. He is still at the stage where experience and repetition matter most, but even with the rough edges, the early signs point to a quarterback trying to change the way this offense looks. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Highsmith Just Addressed His Steelers Future Amid Growing Tension
Alex Highsmiths place in Pittsburgh has been a quiet but important subplot around the Steelers defense, especially with the outside linebacker room drawing so much attention. Entering his seventh season, Highsmith said he wants to stay with the team for his entire career, a sentiment that carries extra weight as Pittsburgh has handed major deals to fellow edge rushers T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig at the same position.
Highsmith also pointed to the depth in the Steelers outside linebacker group, which has become one of the more competitive spots on the roster. For now, he is keeping the focus on the season ahead and on doing his part to help Pittsburgh win, even as the bigger question of his long-term future hangs in the background. [Read more 🡒]