Steelers Let Five Practice Squad Players Hit Free Agency
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a round of quiet but notable roster moves on Monday, allowing five players from their 2025 practice squad to enter free agency. Tight ends Jaheim Bell and Matt Sokol, cornerback Tre Flowers, wide receiver Brandon Johnson, and running back Trey Sermon all saw their practice squad contracts expire, opening the door for them to sign reserve/future deals elsewhere-or potentially circle back to Pittsburgh.
With these moves, the Steelers have now re-signed 11 of the 16 players who finished the season on the practice squad. These five, however, are now free agents and will be exploring their options as the 2026 offseason takes shape.
Let’s take a closer look at each player and what their brief time in Pittsburgh looked like.
Jaheim Bell: A Late-Season Addition
Bell was a late add to the practice squad, signing on December 31 after tight end Darrell Washington went down with a broken arm. At 6-foot-2 and 241 pounds, Bell brought a compact, athletic frame to the tight end room, but didn’t get a chance to make an in-game impact. His arrival came just as the Steelers were shuffling depth due to injuries, and while he didn’t see the field, the team clearly saw enough potential to bring him in during a crucial stretch.
Tre Flowers: Veteran Presence, Brief Return
Flowers, a seasoned cornerback with 98 NFL games under his belt, joined the Steelers’ active roster on Christmas Day and suited up for one game before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad. At 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, Flowers brings size and experience to any secondary, and his short stint in Pittsburgh was more about depth than long-term plans. Still, for a team needing veteran insurance late in the year, Flowers filled that role.
Brandon Johnson: Second Stint, No Snaps
Johnson rejoined the Steelers for a second stint on December 24 but didn’t appear in a game. His return came after DK Metcalf was suspended, and while the timing suggested a possible opportunity, it didn’t materialize into playing time.
Johnson spent most of the 2025 season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad after being waived by Pittsburgh in August. His first go-round with the Steelers began in August 2024, when he appeared in three games as a practice squad elevation.
Trey Sermon: Special Teams Contributor
Sermon came aboard after earning a spot through a veteran tryout during rookie minicamp-a path not many take, but one that speaks to his work ethic. The fifth-year back saw action in four games this season, primarily on special teams.
While he didn’t get many offensive touches, his contributions in the third phase of the game gave the Steelers some flexibility during the year. At this stage in his career, Sermon continues to carve out a role as a depth piece with special teams value.
Matt Sokol: Blocking Tight End, No Game Action
Sokol, a 6-foot-5, 249-pound blocking specialist, was brought back to the practice squad on September 17 for his second stint with the team. Though he didn’t appear in a game, his size and skill set as a traditional in-line tight end gave the Steelers an option behind the scenes. He was previously with the team from late July 2024 through the end of that season before his contract lapsed.
Looking Ahead
With these five players now off the books, the Steelers currently sit at 82 players on their 90-man offseason roster. That leaves room for incoming draft picks, undrafted free agents, and perhaps a few more veteran additions as the front office continues shaping the 2026 squad.
While these names may not have made headlines during the regular season, practice squad players often form the backbone of a team’s depth. Whether these five find their way back to Pittsburgh or latch on elsewhere, they’ve all shown enough to earn a look-and in today’s NFL, that’s often all it takes.