Steelers Eyeing Chiefs Safety Bryan Cook as Potential Free Agent Target
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for what could be a significant offseason shakeup, and one name being floated as a potential addition is Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook - a two-time Super Bowl champion with a reputation for doing the little things right.
Cook, 26, might not be a household name, but he’s the kind of player who quietly makes a defense better. He’s not flashy - just solid, steady, and smart.
In fact, his consistency helped him earn Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 safety grade for the 2025 season. That’s no small feat in a league loaded with elite talent on the back end.
What makes Cook particularly intriguing for Pittsburgh is the situation in Kansas City. The Chiefs are strapped for cap space - the least in the league - which means they’ll likely have to watch some of their young talent walk. That opens the door for a team like the Steelers, who are in the market for reliable help in the secondary.
And let’s be honest - they need it.
Pittsburgh’s safety group is in flux. Veterans Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, and Chuck Clark are all set to hit free agency, and none of them managed to lock down the position with consistent play this past season. Add in the ongoing uncertainty around Jalen Ramsey - who began transitioning to safety but carries a hefty cap hit north of $17 million - and the Steelers have some big decisions to make.
If the team decides to move on from all four, which wouldn’t be surprising given their collective inconsistency, they’ll need to reload quickly. That’s where Cook comes in.
A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Cook has quietly built a solid résumé. In four seasons with the Chiefs, he’s racked up 238 tackles, four interceptions, 15 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, and a sack. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they reflect a player who knows his role and executes it well - a valuable trait for a defense looking to reestablish its identity.
For Pittsburgh, this isn’t about chasing stars - it’s about finding dependable players who can help stabilize a unit that struggled with continuity. Cook fits that mold.
He’s young, experienced, and comes from a winning culture. And if the Chiefs can’t afford to keep him, the Steelers might just be the perfect landing spot.
Keep an eye on this one as free agency approaches. Cook might not make headlines, but he could make a real difference in the Steel City.